INTERVIEW
Partnerships and collaboration to support Ukraine’s libraries
As we approach the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we speak to Lyusyena Shum, Executive Director of the Library Country Charitable Foundation. The charity has been running since 2016, but gained new-found purpose following the start of war in Ukraine.
LIBRARY Country was founded in 2016 to help promote the use and value of libraries in developing vibrant local communities. It brings a coalition of organisations and individuals working together to develop library infrastruc- ture in Ukraine.
Lyusyena says: “The founders of the fund are the Ukraine’s publishing houses and civic activists, who are sure that libraries are an important link in the development of communities and society and the intellectu- al potential of the nation.
“At the beginning of the foundation work, I was the only executive employee. I imple- mented the projects, made book purchases for libraries, and did the communication activities. With my hands, I packed thou- sands of books for dozens of libraries. “Now we have a powerful team of our founders, five executive staff, volunteers – although there is a lot of work and ideas that we are always happy for new volun- teers. The fund’s activities are financed from the contributions of the founders and other benefactors, and to a greater extent from grants from international funds, since in Ukraine the state cannot directly finance charitable funds and civic organisations.” The foundation has a number of key areas
October-November 2023
Rob Green (
rob.green@
cilip.org.uk) is Editor-in-Chief at Information Professional
of activity, centred around modernising the coun- try’s public library services.
l Spreading a new vision and role of libraries in modern society;
l Stimulating innovation through highlighting the best practices of library work and studying global experience;
l Updating the book collections of libraries;
l Popularisation of books and spreading a cul- ture of reading.
Lyusyena says that this approach has already seen success – not just through improved stock,
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