The Kittiwake Trust

Multilingual Library

our patron

After the library had been running a few months, we approached Professor David Crystal, author of over a hundred books on language, to ask if he would be our Patron. He agreed enthusiastically. He visited the library in April 2016 and gave a talk that is available here. We are indebted to Professor Crystal for his continuing support and advice. His website is here

the kittiwake trust

The Multilingual Library is a project of the Kittiwake Trust,  registered charity 1165318. You can find more information about the Trust and the Trustees here.

the Library

There is no such thing as a foreign language, just languages you don't understand. Words are vitally important. We never say 'asylum seekers' - If they need defining further than human beings or refugees we use the term 'asylum applicants'. Feel the difference. Words like 'diversity' suggest the opposite. We are all notes in a melody that resounds around the globe.

Warm Spaces

Our library is part of the Warm Welcome network, offering a warm place to spend time in this cold weather.  We have free tea and coffee, sometimes porridge, soup or pot noodles for those who are cold and hungry.

 

From time to time we also have items like soap, shower gel, toothpaste and period products on offer.  Anyone who is truly in deep financial problems has only to ask if we have, for instance, baby shampoo or nappies, and if we have them it's very likely that we'll give them. 

 

This is a safe space for adults and children and long may it remain so.

On at the moment...

Events

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https://expressyourselfne.com/

Chinese Story Time

Every Fridays at 4pm at the Multilingual Library, join us to listen to stories and myths from a different culture.

Language Classes 

Join our language classes! 

  • English (beginners) - 11.30 - 12.30
  • German Conversation - 15:00

Tuesday           

  • English (beginners) - 11.30 - 12.30
  • Italian - 14.00    - 15.00 

  • Japanese conversation - 11:30 - 12:30

  • Spanish/English language exchange 14.30 - 16.00 

A word from us

140 languages – sounds like so many but only a drop in the ocean of 7000 languages

So many oceans, so many souls, so many tongues

So many parents reading so many books to so many babies

So many piglets

And gruffalos

And bedknobs

And broomsticks

And hobbits

So many giggles

And snuggles

And cuddles

Our library is for everyone

For you and your neighbours

Your mum and your dad

For your brothers and sisters

Your aunties and uncles

Your granny and grandpa

Your sons and your daughters

This library is for YOU"

Our Newsletters

 

Summer 2024 - here

 

Spring 2024 - Click here

Autumn 2020 - Click here

Summer 2020 - Click here

Spring 2020 - Click here

 

 

You can learn more about our past events here.

 

New Acquisitions

We are receiving some wonderful books for children from Macmillan, Hachette, Nosy Crow and others in lots of languages including Turkish, Thai, Hebrew, Dutch, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Estonian, Ukrainian, Chinese, Danish, Finnish, Slovene, Greek and more...

Customers' Feedback

 

“Lovely place, good choice of books. Friendly folk. Peaceful"

 

"Nice little place"