Call for volunteers IBBY Camp

Project “Silent books: from the world to Lampedusa and back”

All IBBY volunteers who would like to help and support us in inventing new ways of using and enjoying books, can take part in the continuing development of the IBBY library in Lampedusa, which was inaugurated on 16 September 2017.

At a time of uncertainty and change and many migration and integration issues in all our countries,  the IBBY library in Lampedusa invites all who are interested in using books as tools for change to come together in Lampedusa. We have to learn and understand what new challenges and possibilities can be gained from this experience.

From Monday, 4 to Saturday, 10 November we are going to Lampedusa to work together on how to create a community library that is at the same time international and local; normal and yet extraordinary. We will discuss and understand and learn from each other.
We will be keeping in mind not only Lampedusa, but also every other place that is a frontier, that has a population of children who need to have opportunities opened up for them for their futures.

Every idea is welcome; every suggestion is considered and assessed. The aims of the IBBY Camp are to:
– promote reading in the Lampedusa Library
– find new ways of working with books and displaced children
– teach a way of being ready to learn from a community
– learn everything there is to know about Silent Books
– meet other passionate IBBY/ book people
– understand more about migration in the Mediterranean.

Librarians, students and those who have experience – you are all invited to Lampedusa, together with authors and illustrators also taking part. During this training week we will set up meetings and readings with the children, sharing every experience with everyone who is participating.
The voluntary workers who keep the library open and functioning all year round are waiting for us, as well as all those who discover that the first real place of culture and welcome in their journey across the Mediterranean is the Lampedusa Library.

All those interested in taking part should contact IBBY for further information.

With kind regards,
Deborah Soria
Project Manager, Italian Section of IBBY
FB BIBLIOTECA IBBY LAMPEDUSA

HOW TO JOIN US IN LAMPEDUSA

How to organize your trip to Lampedusa
Please note that travelling and accommodation are at the expense of the participant, no reimbursement is possible.

By plane:
Direct connections to Lampedusa are available from the Italian airport of Palermo  (Sicily) throughout the year. However, the booking service to and from Lampedusa can often be temporarily unavailable. We suggest that you book your flight to Palermo in advance and then buy your ticket to Lampedusa later on. The flights Palermo-Lampedusa are at a fixed cost with no discounts for early booking.

By boat:
A daily direct connection to Lampedusa sails from Porto Empedocle (Agrigento, Sicily). The boat leaves at 23.59 every day and the journey last nearly 9 hours. However, the service is cancelled whenever there is bad weather.

How to find an accommodation
There are many hotels, residences and bed & breakfast offers on the island.  Please book something close to “ via Roma 34” the address of the Lampedusa Library

Confirm your attendance
After booking your flight, please send a confirmation email to soria.deb@gmail.com. We will then send you a form to fill in to confirm attendance. You should send your confirmation before 29 September 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions
Yes: you can come with your family! Children are welcome.
Yes: you can attend IBBY Camp only for a few days if you cannot stay all week.
No: you are not requested to spend all your time on the project – choose a comfortable mix between holiday and IBBY Camp! But, yes, please, let us know which days and for how many hours you can volunteer.
No: IBBY Italia is not responsible for the organization of your trip.
Yes: if you want to organize workshops or other activities, please write to us and we can discuss and coordinate how to include them in the programme.
No: refunds are not available, all activities are organized on voluntary basis.
Yes: IBBY Italia will provide all materials needed for the activities, such as paper, scissors, glue, coloured paints and pencils, etc.

For more information, please contact Deborah Soria: soria.deb@gmail.com
We look forward to meeting you on Lampedusa!
IBBY Italia
International Board on Books for Young People
Ufficio stampa (press) Maddalena Lucarelli: lucarelli.maddalena@gmail.com
IBBY Italia Secretariat: scrivi@ibbyitalia.com,  http://www.ibbyitalia.it