In September 2024, Libraries Connected delivered a mobile library to Ukraine and announced the partnerships in a twinning scheme for Ukrainian and English libraries. Over 1,000 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the full-scale Russian engagement, including hundreds of libraries. This partnership with Library Country Ukraine Charitable Foundation allows the UK library community to provide practical support to libraries in Ukraine.

Mobile library sets off for Ukraine

On 22 September, we waved goodbye to our mobile library as it embarked on its journey to Ukraine.

The mobile library was purchased after a crowdfunding campaign which raised over £10,000 from 227 donors, whose messages of support have been printed into a book accompanying the mobile. It is also stocked with 500 books for babies and children, donated by BookTrust.

The mobile was driven across Europe by two volunteers, Jon Davis and Adrian Reffell, who work for Kirklees and Staffordshire library services. Jon also donated a kettle for Ukrainian librarians to use on the mobile!

The mobile is now at the Polish border and will be delivered to our partner, Library Country Ukraine, in the next few days, and they will deploy it to a city where libraries have been destroyed.

English and Ukrainian library twinnings announced

Multiple library twinnings have now been announced between UK and Ukrainian libraries. The scheme is inspired by the twinning of Liverpool and Odesa libraries, at an event in 2023 which was attended by the King and Queen, Ukrainian Ambassador and the Ukrainian First Lady.

The twinning scheme will allow the libraries to exchange skills, develop joint initiatives, connect audiences and celebrate UK and Ukrainian literature and culture. Libraries in Ukraine have rap[idly adapted to wartime conditions – with a focus on supporting their communities’ mental health, countering misinformation and providing practical help such as first aid training and rest stations for combatants. We hope the twinning scheme will support mutual exchange and learning, as well as providing moral support to library staff working in incredibly challenging conditions.