Feb 28, 2022 | Statements/Appeals
International Organization
IPA response to Ukrainian Publishers and Booksellers Association
IPA Secretary General, José Borghino response to the Ukrainian Publishers and Booksellers Association
Dear Oleksandr,
Thank you for your open letter of 24 February. I am deeply saddened by what has happened in Ukraine and I pray that you, your family, your friends and all our publishing colleagues from the Ukrainian Publishers and Booksellers Association have been able to find relative safety. I have been in touch with your son, Andrew, who tells me that you and your wife are safe for the moment but that food is becoming scarce and that you sleep in air-raid shelters most nights.
In responding to you, I am relaying your call for support to all of IPA’s members, and I know that there are many already looking to find ways to support you.
We condemn this criminal Russian invasion in the strongest possible terms. The IPA was founded with the intention of supporting peace. Our first President, Georges Masson, stated at our inaugural Congress in 1896 that ‘the first International Publishers Congress … is one of many gatherings whose purpose is to multiply peaceful relations between nations, in encouraging the visible tendency of peoples to join more and more through a community of interests.’ Nothing in the intervening 125 years has changed that stance.
Our current President, Bodour Al Qasimi, also asked me to share the following statement on behalf of the IPA: ‘The IPA stands in solidarity with publishers in peril all around the world and, especially at this moment, with our member in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Publishers and Booksellers Association. We are following developments and discussing how IPA can be of most assistance to our member. In times of peace, books have a powerful uniting force. In times of conflict, books are even more important in fostering hope, supporting reconciliation, and cementing peace.’
All our Ukrainian colleagues are in our thoughts, and I hope that peace will be restored very soon. I look forward to spending time with you all in Kyiv, at the Book Arsenal Festival or visiting Mikhail Bulgakov’s house. We send you our hopes, solidarity and love.
Yours sincerely,
José Borghino
Feb 28, 2022 | Statements/Appeals
Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania
The morning of 24 February brought the shocking news of Russia starting a massive attack against Ukraine. The Ukrainian people have been sacrificing their lives and heroically defend their country against the aggression of the Russian Federation. The communities of the national libraries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia resolutely condemn the attacks on Ukraine and stand in solidarity with the aspiration of the Ukrainian people to live in a free, independent and democratic Ukrainian state, guided by European fundamental values. We support the desire for freedom of Ukrainian citizens and invite all libraries in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Europe and around the world to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and to contribute to Ukraine’s victory in every possible way, i.e. providing financial donations and moral support. Our help is crucial for a free and independent Ukraine.
We appeal to international organizations representing and uniting libraries and scientific organizations: CENL (Conference of European National Libraries), EBLIDA (European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations), IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions), CDNL (Conference of Directors of National Libraries), LIBER (Association of European Research Libraries), NAPLE (National Authorities on Public Libraries in Europe), Public Libraries 2030, SPARC Europe and ALA (American Library Association) to immediately and explicitly condemn the aggression of the Russian Federation on Ukraine. We also call to suspend the membership of the Russian Federation in all international library organizations.
We all share common goals and values, and we commit to continue creating an inclusive information and cultural space that is free from misinformation, lies, hatred and war, and open to all. Let us use all tools at our disposal to win the information warfare. Libraries mean freedom. Libraries are the gateway to the future.
We all must and can contribute to strengthen democracy. All responsible people must understand that if we do not stop Russia’s impertinent aggression in Ukraine, everyone would find themselves in the face of calamity.
The slogan of the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov For Your Freedom and Ours! is more relevant than ever.
Janne Andresoo, Director General of the National Library of Estonia
Prof. Dr. Renaldas Gudauskas, Director General of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania
Andris Vilks, Director of the National Library of Latvia
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.
Feb 28, 2022 | Denmark, How to help
Denmark
Libraries often play a central and important role when it comes to war and conflict in the world today. They can ensure access to trustworthy information, as the truth is often the first casualty of war.
With the outbreak of war in The Ukraine that trust is again threatened by fake news. Therefore The Ukrainian Library Association along with other library associations call on us to take part in the fight for truth and against the Russian invasion.
The Danish libraries support the joint European Declaration. The Russian Federation’s barbaric attack on The Ukraine is in direct opposition to the guiding principles of sustainability, democracy and the rule of law.
In answer to the appeal initiated by the Ukrainian Library Association, the Danish Library Association, The Danish Union of Cultural and Information Academics and the Association of Danish Public Library Managers along with our European partners EBLIDA, NAPLE and Public Libraries 2030 call upon all European libraries to mobilize for truthful and trustworthy information. And to use our resources and position in society as a weapon to support democracy and freedom of speech during this conflict.
Libraries are also encouraged to support potential refugees from The Ukraine in cooperation with state and non-governmental organizations.
We must be ready to find solutions and offer our Ukrainian friends the necessary help during this situation.
Feb 28, 2022 | Statements/Appeals
Czech Republic
Vedení SKIP dnes zaslalo ukrajinským knihovníkům dopis, v němž vyjádřilo svou podporu.
Úplné znění dopisu:
Czech librarians are with you
Dear colleagues, fellow librarians from Ukraine,
We have been following the scary situation in Ukraine for quite some time now, hoping that a peaceful solution would eventually be found. Unfortunately, yesterday morning’s events put an abrupt end to any such hopes. Hardly anyone would imagine Russia really launching a full-scale invasion on an independent state of Ukraine, your home country.
It has bitterly reminded us about what happened in the early days of World War II (and, maybe more importantly, what had preceded the war) and led to the most devastating conflict in the history of mankind.
On behalf of the Association of Library and Information Professionals of the Czech Republic, representing over 1,800 libraries and librarians from our country, we wish to let you know that you are not alone. We stand by you in your fight for freedom and regaining your nation’s true independence.
Both the Czech president and government have strongly condemned the attack of Russian forces; our government has also provided and will provide a significant amount of money to procure humanitarian aid for Ukrainian people. Our Ministry of Interior has set up a dedicated web page and a helpline for Ukrainian citizens who may not feel safe in Ukraine anymore and may wish to come to our country (https://www.mvcr.cz/clanek/informace-pro-obcany-ukrajiny.aspx). Also, a number of charities (including the Czech Red Cross), universities and individuals have become involved in actively providing help. We are with you at this moment and will continue to support your nation’s independence and your right to live in peace instead of being subject to a military attack by your neighbouring country.
On behalf of the Association of Library and Information Professionals of the Czech Republic
Roman Giebisch
president
roman.giebisch@nkp.cz
Libuse Nivnicka
vice-president
nivnicka@kjm.cz
Vit Richter
secretary
vit.richter@nkp.cz
Association of Library and Information Professionals of the Czech Republic
Marianske namesti 190/5(
110 00 Prague, Czech Republic
https://www.skipcr.cz/
Z Ukrajiny obratem dorazila odpověď:
Dear colleagues,
Thank you so much for your letter.
We are strong together and the support of you, the library community, government and the people of the Czech Republic are very valuable.
We highly appreciate it. It is greatly needed.
Regards,
Oksana Brui, ULA President
Yaroslava Soshynska, ULA Executive Director
V neděli 27. 2. následovalo její doplnění:
Dear friends,
Thank you for your support! ❤️
It’s very important for us!
We share your letter on our FB page https://www.facebook.com/182552575164845/posts/5299643996788985/
Thanks a lot!
—
Oksana Brui
President of Ukrainian Library Association
Library director of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute
