Mar 1, 2022 | Statements/Appeals
France
We are all watching with concern and a feeling of helplessness as the military invasion of Ukraine takes place.
At our level, we can only express our solidarity with our colleagues and with all Ukrainians. We support and relay the press release of the European Federation of Library Associations
In response to the call from the Ukrainian Library Association, EBLIDA, NAPLE and the “Public Libraries 2030” program are urging libraries across Europe to mobilize for accurate information to be disseminated on the conflict as way to support democracy and freedom of expression.
Today, we can support freedom and peace with our tools and on our own scale, by disseminating verified information. We are able to help citizens understand the situation, the issues and the respective positions and defend access to information as a necessary condition for democracy.
The Livr’exil commission proposes – in the event that the situation leads colleagues to come and settle temporarily or not in France – to serve as an interface to help guide librarians who are forced into exile. The resources of the profession at European and French level can be mobilized to support any needs.
In the event that the situation leads colleagues to flee Ukraine and settle, temporarily or not, in France, the French “Livr’exil” commission is ready to serve as an interface to assist librarians who would like to pursue their professional activity. The professional resources at European and French level can be mobilized to support their needs.
Letter from the Ukrainian Association of Publishers and Booksellers to encourage the purchase of Ukrainian books by libraries
Mar 1, 2022 | Statements/Appeals
The Netherlands
We zijn geschokt door de Russische inval in Oekraïne en hoe de situatie zich ontwikkelt. We leven mee met iedereen die de gevolgen ervaart van deze oorlog.Inhoudsblokken
Als Nederlandse bibliotheken maken we ons daarnaast grote zorgen over de gevolgen van de oorlog voor bibliotheken in, en het geschreven erfgoed van Oekraïne. We spreken onze steun uit voor onze collega’s daar.
De European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), NAPLE en Public Libraries 2030 hebben zich namens alle aangesloten Europese Verenigingen van Openbare Bibliotheken uitgesproken tegen de Russische inval in Oekraïne.
Bibliotheken worden onder meer aangemoedigd om samen met hun gemeente(n) en NGO’s Oekraïense vluchtelingen lokaal zo goed mogelijk op te vangen, te ondersteunen en praktische hulp te bieden.
Wij steunen deze oproep en vragen Nederlandse openbare bibliotheken om lokale initiatieven actief met elkaar te delen.
VOB, SPN, FOBID en KB
Feb 28, 2022 | Statements/Appeals
International Organization
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has shaken us all to the core. The COSEELIS Committee confirms our support for Ukraine and Ukrainians, those in the country and the diaspora and those who are currently seeking refuge elsewhere. The primary impact of such terrible events is always on the most vulnerable.
The library community has joined academics in condemning the invasion and in expressing support for Ukrainians and for Russians who do not want this war. You can see some of the main bodies’ statements here:
BASEES: http://basees.org/news/2022/2/24/basees-statement-on-russias-act-of-aggression-against-ukraine
ASEEES: https://www.aseees.org/advocacy/aseees-executive-committee-condemns-russias-military-assault-ukraine
CILIP: https://www.cilip.org.uk/news/597028/Statement-of-solidarity-with-librarians-archivists-and-information-professionals-in-Ukraine.htm [note that you can add your own name to this statement]
What can we in COSEELIS do as individuals and as library professionals? As individuals, we can write to our MPs to ask for sanctions to be upheld and for meaningful support for the Ukrainian people and refugees (through, for example, the waiving of visa requirements), we can sign relevant petitions, we can help inform others about the situation and call out fake news, and we can give financial and other support to charities working on the ground. The Cambridge University Ukrainian Society, among many others in the UK, has compiled a list of ways to help: https://cuusblog.wordpress.com/2022/02/26/how-you-can-support-ukraine-right-now/
As library professionals, we can also help in practical ways. There are initiatives such as this one to try to help the Ukrainian library and archive community protect and share their holdings: https://twitter.com/anna_kijas/status/1497736861128794112?cxt=HHwWgIC56azvg8kpAAAA We encourage COSEELIS mailing list members to share similar initiatives through the list. The Committee can compile a list of them on the COSEELIS blog.
We also realise that the war will have an inevitable impact on our suppliers in Ukraine, Russia, and probably Belarus. The impact on our readers is important, of course, but so is the impact on individuals and businesses we have all had long-standing relationships with. We are thinking about arranging a session for librarians to share our experiences and discuss the situation.
Finally but by no means least importantly, we express our deep sympathy for those in the UK Slavonic library community with family and friends in Ukraine.
Feb 28, 2022 | Czech Republic, How to help
Czech Republic
Ke stažení (formát doc)
K vašemu využití volně šiřitelný a upravovatelný dokument, kterým knihovny mohou oslovit uprchlíky před válkou na Ukrajině a nabídnout jim své služby, které využijí.
Dokument je možné obrandovat, ologovat, dát na stránky, na FB, a hlavně šířit ve vaší obci, městě (např. na úřad, místním neziskovkám, na policejní služebnu, atd.).
Víme, že knihovny umí pomoci a snad vám tento dokument pomoc usnadní. Kdo je připraven, není překvapen.
Vizuálně zpracované dokumenty
Opět vše volně šiřitelné (děkujeme kolegům ze Spolku maďarských knihovníkov na Slovensku)
Podporujeme Ukrajinu
Chaos, zmar a utrpení teď čeká nevinné lidi na Ukrajině, civilisty, kteří chodí běžně nakupovat, plavat, chodí do restaurací, pracují na zahradě, v továrně, na poli, chodí do knihovny. Na hlavu a na jejich domovy, na místa, co mají rádi, teď míří zbraně a dopadají bomby.
Mysleme na ně, podporujme je. Využijte charitativní sbírky, poskytněte prostor uprchlíkům.
Válka je hned vedle a otřese i naším světem. Držme se a pomáhejme!
Co se kde děje?
Průběžně aktualizované informace o tom, jak knihovny pomáhají, co se dá dělat, kde najít další informace naleznete zde: https://koncepce.knihovna.cz/knihovny-pomahaji-ukrajine/.
Feb 28, 2022 | Statements/Appeals
United Kingdom
We the undersigned, representing the UK community of librarians, archivists and information professionals, wish to extend our solidarity and support for our professional colleagues in Ukraine during the current military action by Russia.
We are gravely concerned at the threat posed by this action to the safety of the Ukrainian people, their heritage and identity, as well as to the security of our professional colleagues.
Ukraine is a nation with a rich literary heritage and tradition. Its libraries and archives are home to great collections of works of literature, history and research, documenting the development of Ukrainian culture, identity and language. It is of vital importance to ensure that this body of knowledge, research and creativity is protected for future generations.
The integrity of the public record as well as the safety and intellectual freedom of the civilian population are pre-requisites of any Nation State that aspires to legitimacy or credibility within the international community.
Librarians, archivists and information professionals play a vital role in promoting reading, literacy and access to information for the citizens and communities they serve. It is essential that they are permitted to continue this work in safety and free from coercion or threat.
We encourage political leaders in the UK Government and international community to work together in order to restore peace and security for Ukraine as a member of the international community in good standing and subject to the international agreements and accords already set in place to guarantee this security, including compliance with the international obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property, and its protocols.
The library, archive and information professional community in the UK will work with our colleagues around the world to offer whatever support and solidarity we can to our professional colleagues in Ukraine.
Signatories
Alison Tarrant, CEO, School Library Association
Professor Alison Baverstock, Founder and Director of Reading Force
Ann Rossiter, Chief Executive, SCONUL
Amina Shah, Chief Executive, National Library of Scotland
Andrew Griffiths, CEO, Federation for Informatics Professionals in Health and Care
David C Prosser, Executive Director, RLUK
Heather Marshall, Chair of CILIP in Scotland Trustee Board, Senior Librarian, Glasgow Caledonian University
Isobel Hunter MBE, Chief Executive, Libraries Connected
Jeremy Jenkins, Chair, Art Libraries Society UK & Ireland
John Chambers, Chief Executive, Archives and Records Association
Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, The National Literacy Trust
Katharine Hogg, President, IAML (UK & Ireland)
Karen Napier MBE, CEO, The Reading Agency
Kate Robinson, President of CILIP and University Librarian, University of Bath
Liz Jolly, Chief Librarian, British Library
Lou Peck, Chair of CILIP Cymru Wales and CEO, The International Bunch
Lucy Crompton-Reid, Chief Executive, Wikimedia UK
Matthew Littleford, Chair, The Reading Agency
Nick Poole, Chief Executive, CILIP
Pedr Ap Llwyd, Chief Executive and Librarian, National Library of Wales
Richard Ovenden OBE, Bodley’s Librarian, Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Sarah Mahurter, Chair, CILIP Rare Books and Special Collections Group
Sue Lacey Bryant, Chair, CILIP
Sign our joint Statement of Solidarity with colleagues in Ukraine
It can seem like a small thing in the face of such horrific circumstances but we know from prior experience that messages of solidarity are very important to colleagues who find themselves in theatres of conflict or disaster zones around the world.
We invite you to add your name to our joint Statement of Solidarity please click here. You may keep your job title and organisation private, although it will be used for individual verification.
Thank you for your support.
