‘It is of great importance to offer all refugees perspective in addition to shelter,’ says Astrid Kraal, network manager for the library system at the KB. ‘Libraries are pre-eminently a place that can help newcomers. Promoting reading and helping with language and self-development are our spearheads – and it is exactly this support that refugees can use.
We therefore call on Ukrainian refugees and other newcomers to inquire at their local library about the assistance they can receive.
All European countries are offering safe places of refuge for millions of people escaping war in Ukraine. European Libraries are peace strongholds amidst the horrible war which followed the Russian attack against Ukraine. It is their duty to provide support and, as far as possible, services to Ukranian refugees.
EBLIDA , NAPLE and PL2030 have joined forces to create the “Libraries for Refugees” network, which hosts access points providing services for displaced Ukrainians. The objective of this initiative is to share a clear understanding of what libraries can offer refugees and promote similar services in other countries.
Library access points displaying the “Libraries for Refugees” logo include resources and facilities purposely designed to help Ukrainian displaced persons. Join the network and have your activities for Ukrainians displayed on the “Libraries for Refugees” website: https://lib4refugees.splet.arnes.si/.
12 April 2022
EBLIDA is the community and networking hub for all library, information and documentation associations and institutions in Europe striving towards a sustainable, democratic and equitable society.
NAPLE is an international non-governmental association pursuing the interests of the national library authorities in Europe. Its main aim is to promote principles and strategies for public library policies.
PL2030 is a Brussels-based organisation working for over seven years to build connections between innovative library practice and build recognition of the contribution of the library sector in EU institutions.
The e-book collection now contains more than 10,000 Dutch and English titles. 112 Ukrainian and 57 Russian titles are now added, including George Orwell, Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Stephen King. In doing so, the library sector shows its solidarity with the Ukrainian and Russian communities. At the same time, your library can reach and help people from Ukraine in these difficult circumstances.
Ukrainian and Russian titles in the collection
Currently, the collection includes a selection of Ukrainian translations of classics, such as George Orwell’s ‘1984’ or Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’, supplemented by popular titles such as Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s ‘The Angel’s Play’ or Stephen King’s ‘Joyland’. . In addition, a limited collection of Russian titles and translations is available in the e-book range. Russian is the second language in Ukraine. Moreover, the library sector also shows solidarity with Russian residents, who have not asked for a war either.
Those who like to read more about Ukraine and Russia in Dutch will find many interesting non-fiction titles about Ukraine and Russia on the bookshelf ‘Backgrounds to the war in Ukraine’. In this way, borrowers can properly inform themselves and be critical of reporting about the war in Ukraine, especially in times of fake news, filter bubbles and propaganda.
The Ukrainian collection was compiled in collaboration with Naple, a European working group on e-books and e-book policy in public libraries. Several European countries will purchase a selection of Ukrainian titles. The Ukrainian community of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre was involved in the collection. The collection of Ukrainian titles and translations on the e-book platform will be further expanded in the near future.
We the undersigned members of CONUL, the Consortium of National and University Libraries in Ireland, unequivocally condemn the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. We are gravely concerned about the humanitarian impact of the war on the lives of individuals and support the international efforts to assist Ukrainian people who have been forced to flee and those who have stayed.
University and national librarians, archivists and information professionals play a vital role in preserving and protecting collections of national and civic importance. Libraries are places of peace that signify inclusivity and the open sharing of knowledge. Ukrainian libraries house collections of national and international significance, relating to the development of Ukrainian culture, identity and language. It is critical that these collections are protected for the benefit and knowledge of all Ukrainians, future generations, and people across the world.
We call on political leaders everywhere to do all in their power to find a way to end the violence, and we stand united in support of Ukrainian people.
John McDonough, University Librarian, Dublin City University
Cathal McCauley, University Librarian, Maynooth University
Katherine McSharry, Acting Director, National Library of Ireland
John Cox, University Librarian, National University of Ireland, Galway
Jane O’Neill, University Librarian and Assistant Director of Information Services, Queens University Belfast
Kate Kelly, Director, Library Services, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine & Health Sciences
Barbara McCormack, Academy Librarian, Royal Irish Academy
Allison Kavanagh, Head of Library Services, Technological University Dublin
Helen Shenton, Librarian and College Archivist, Trinity College Dublin
Janet Peden, University Librarian & Deputy Chief Digital and Information Officer, Ulster University
Colette McKenna, Director of Library Services, University College Cork
Dr Sandra Collins, University Librarian, University College Dublin
Gobnait O’Riordan, Director of Library and Information Services, University of Limerick
