Databases

Leggiamo insieme/Reading together

Italian-speaking parents in the Cambridgeshire area are working with Cambridge Central Library and primary schools in Italy to create a collection of Italian resources for children, and a programme of activities designed to extend the children’s sense of the Italian language and their cultural identity. The resources are hosted and managed by Cambridge Central Library. Books are donated by primary schools in Italy in return for English children’s books, under a fl ourishing book exchange scheme managed by the Cambridge Italian Club. Using the collection as a core, the Cambridge Italian Club organises activities including reading sessions exploring different topics, rhymes and songs, drawing competitions and drama activities. Children of all ages from one to 12 attend regularly, accompanied by their parents and carers who are fully engaged with the reading and other activities. All events are promoted through the library and open to the wider community. Prior to this project, there were no resources for Italian language in the community. Through its partnership with the Cambridge Italian Club, the library has built up its resources, with growing numbers attending the reading sessions and interest from both the Italian community and local primary schools.