County Donegal libraries do 1 thing to support refugees

No one chooses to be a refugee. This World Refugee Day, borrow a refugee book from your local library and show you care!

Libraries across Donegal will participate in the do 1 thing campaign run by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in Ireland to mark World Refugee Day on 20th June. Stands displaying refugee titles, written by or about refugees, will be displayed in libraries across the County for two weeks around World Refugee Day from Monday 18^th June until Saturday 30^th June.

3 libraries in the county will take part in the campaign.CountyLibrarian, Eileen Burgess says “We are delighted to be involved in this campaign. The whole area of refugees can seem really complicated. The great thing about books is that we become caught up in the story and as we get to know the characters we start to understand just what the experience of being a refugee is really like.” 

There are lots of refugee books to choose from, including titles for children and adults, fiction and non-fiction, popular novels like the Kite Runner as well as less well-known but equally moving ones like Day after Night.   Anyone who takes out a refugee title will get a free bookmark with a list of other recommended reads on it.

The do 1 thing campaign asks people inIreland to take one simple action to show support for refugees and asylum seekers inIreland and internationally who have fled their homes in the hope of finding safety in another country. County librarian, Eileen Burgess said “Even in difficult economic times, it doesn’t cost a single cent to show interest in others, learn, and share your new knowledge and interest. Reading a refugee related book is one way to show you care.”

Sophie Magennis, Head of Office at UNHCR Ireland says, “Refugees across the world have shown great courage and resilience in escaping from terrible situations and the do 1 thing campaign is about showing understanding and support. Some of the books highlighted by the do 1 thing campaign are difficult reads, but many of these titles are also testaments to human ingenuity, resilience and strength.”

For more information about UNHCR Ireland and the do 1 thing campaign, log on to the UNHCR Ireland website: http://www.do1thing.ie/