The children’s library as a safe space for safeguarding the human rights of migrants and asylum seekers in Costa Rica

Abstract

The Miriam Álvarez Brenes Children's Library (BIMAB) of the National University (UNA), in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), presents the initiative "Libraries Know No Borders." This initiative, launched in 2023, focuses on developing literacy and social action strategies in border communities, as well as awareness-raising and training programs on human rights for migrant and refugee families in the country. The objective of this process is to highlight the role of the children's library as a key agent in raising awareness of human rights, especially in contexts of human mobility.

The Children's Library is a 30-year-old project belonging to the School of Library Science, Documentation and Information, it is the only children's library in the country, likely in central America. The methodology for this initiative is based on the systematization of experiences developed between 2023 and 2026, including reading mediation programs, storytelling, play-based learning activities, and dialogue spaces with refugee and migrant families. As a space for student engagement, a positive impact has been observed within the university student community, as they have taken a leading role in implementing the aforementioned actions.