Frankton Library is embarking on a community project that will celebrate language and culture in Queenstown.
Alongside establishing a world languages book collection, the team at the library is setting up six Lilliput libraries outside the main library precinct, where anyone can swap, borrow, or donate books in languages other than English.
The project aims to enable more migrant communities to read books in their heritage languages, Frankton Library team leader Jess Payne says.
‘‘Queenstown has a wonderfully-diverse community, with people from all corners of the world who call this home.
‘‘We want to celebrate that and bring people together to create a space to share, learn and celebrate their heritage together,’’ Payne says.
The team is keen to collaborate with representatives of any migrant communities that would like to be involved with the Lilliput design process, as well as anyone with ‘‘creative flair’’ to design a mural representing the cultural diversity of the local community.
Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group is providing funding for books in a variety of languages, and the Lilliputs will be constructed by MenzShed out of materials donated by Mitre 10, with support from Catalyst Trust.
A community working bee and barbeque’s planned for November 5, and an official launch will be held early in 2023.
