Public libraries are an important community resource for many community members—as a source of reading and viewing materials, reference information, and information about community events, as well as a place for social interaction. Public libraries are usually perceived as open, egalitarian, and welcoming institutions, placing them in an ideal position to welcome newcomers. In Canada, they play an integral role in the settlement of newcomers, both through services directed specifically at newcomers as well as through their role as a general community resource.

Learn more: The Role of Libraries in Settlement; Issue 34