The creation of refugee information services: an unmet need and future opportunity

Abstract

The current refugee crisis was the driving force behind this paper. In recent years, mainly due to the Syrian conflict thousands of refugees have arrived in Europe. We are now faced with the task of searching for solutions to get assist and integrate these people. The purpose of this paper is to rise awereness of the need for refugee integration plans that include public libraries, through the creation of multicultural information services. We analysed reports and web sites from organisations such as the UNHCR, the CPR and the SEF (Portuguese Boarder Agency), as well as manifests and rules of IFLA/UNESCO manifestos and guidelines on the implementation of information services. We conclude that the integration of public libraries in the refugee reception plans is an advantage due to its high informational and cultural potential. We also conclude that there is an urgent need to create an information service for refugees to centralise information and provide their needs.