As I come to the end of my time as a Student Curator, I find myself reflecting on how much this project has evolved. What began as an idea centred on migration and identity gradually became an exploration of the many ways people create a sense of home, preserve their heritage, and navigate life between cultures.
When I first began researching, I had assumed my collection would be largely made up of books. While literature remains at its heart, I quickly realised that stories of migration are expressed through far more than words alone. Photography, dance, film, food, podcasts, theatre, and visual art all became equally important parts of the collection. Together, they reveal that migration is not a single story or experience, but something deeply personal, creative, and multifaceted.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was discovering resources I might never otherwise have encountered. From Akram Khan’s choreography exploring identity and diaspora, to photographic projects documenting second-generation migrant experiences, to cookbooks preserving cultural heritage through family recipes, I found myself constantly expanding my understanding of what a library collection could include. These works reminded me that archives are not only built from official histories, but from memories, traditions, conversations, and everyday acts of cultural preservation.
Throughout the curation process, I also became increasingly aware of the responsibility involved in selecting resources. Migration is often discussed in political or statistical terms, yet behind every policy or headline are individuals, families, and communities with unique experiences. I wanted this collection to resist presenting a single narrative. Instead, I sought to include a diversity of voices and perspectives that reflect the complexity of migration itself- stories of joy and loss, resilience and uncertainty, departure and arrival, as well as the identities that emerge in the spaces between.
Working on this project has also reinforced the importance of representation within library collections. Libraries are places where people search not only for information but also for connection. Seeing your own experiences reflected in a book, a photograph, or a film can be incredibly meaningful, while encountering experiences different from your own can encourage empathy and understanding. I hope this collection contributes, in a small way, to creating a library space that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
An unexpected outcome of this project was recognising how many different ways migration can be understood. It is not only about crossing national borders. It can involve moving between languages, balancing multiple cultural identities, adapting to new communities, or carrying traditions across generations. Sometimes migration is visible; sometimes it is reflected in a family recipe, a piece of music, a work of art, or a memory shared between generations. Exploring these varied experiences has been one of the most enriching parts of the curation process.
Although the collection is now complete, it does not feel finished. There are countless stories, perspectives, and creative works that could still be included. Rather than seeing this as a limitation, I see it as an invitation or beginning. I hope Between Worlds continues to grow through future recommendations, conversations, and discoveries, becoming a living resource that evolves alongside the communities it represents.
Finally, I would like to thank the Library team for their guidance, encouragement, and expertise throughout the project. From recommending resources and supporting acquisitions to helping bring both the digital guide and physical display to life, their enthusiasm made this experience incredibly rewarding. I am also grateful to everyone who shared recommendations, conversations, and reflections on the meaning of home. Every contribution helped shape the collection into something richer than I could have created alone.
Above all, I hope Between Worlds encourages visitors to approach migration with curiosity, empathy, and openness. Whether someone recognises their own experiences within these resources or encounters perspectives that are entirely new to them, I hope the collection sparks conversations about identity, belonging, and the many different ways people find- or create- a place to call home.