Ukrainian libraries to receive a further 15,000 books from Book Aid International through PEN Ukraine’s Unbreakable Libraries project
Image: Mykhailo Palinchak
13 March 2024: Book Aid International, working in partnership with PEN Ukraine, English PEN and PEN International, is set to donate a further 15,000 books this year to support war-affected libraries in Ukraine.
This announcement comes one year after an initial meeting at the London Book Fair with Book Aid International’s President, Nigel Newton and Chief Executive Alison Tweed, Olha Mukha of PEN Ukraine and PEN International, and Daniel Gorman of English PEN. These discussions resulted in a collaboration with PEN Ukraine for their Unbreakable Libraries project which aims to collect and send new books in Ukrainian and English, to libraries throughout Ukraine including front-line and liberated territories.
Almost 700 Ukrainian libraries have been damaged or destroyed during Russia’s invasion, losing part or all of their book collections. Some have been forced to move to safer regions of Ukraine. As Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine continues, many of these libraries are serving as social hubs or places of respite from the war, sometimes even offering a safer place or shelter from the bombing.
In November 2023, the first shipment of 25,000 Book Aid International-donated books from leading publishers including Bloomsbury, Hachette UK, Cambridge University Press, Harper Collins and Pan Macmillan was delivered to Kyiv. Over 10,000 of those books, including children’s books, literary classics, art and leisure books and English as a Foreign Language texts, have now been distributed to more than 68 libraries, many of which are on the front line. Book Aid International publisher donated books have been distributed to regions including Chernihiv, Kherson, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kyiv and Chernivtsi in partnership with the Nova Post Humanitarian initiative.
Reports are coming back from libraries across Ukraine highlighting the value of these book donations. Khotyn City Public Library said:
Books in English have been received. We are sincerely grateful for such an irreplaceable, desirable and long-awaited contribution to our library. On behalf of our users and library staff we sincerely thank you! Currently we have a plan, together with a charity, to start an English club in the library for interested users. The books you sent will become “the basis” of the English learning club, which will unite and make the club’s work effective.
Book Aid International’s Chief Executive, Alison Tweed, spoke of the charity’s continued commitment to supporting Ukrainian libraries:
When PEN Ukraine first reached out to Book Aid international at The London Book Fair last year, we understood what an important project Unbreakable Libraries is, and we were keen to be involved. We are delighted to know that the books our publisher partners have generously donated are now in the hands of people who most need them, and we are committed to sending more. It is good to know that these books will offer both comforts now and will help to build the futures of many Ukrainians who are facing the daily reality of war. We want to thank all our book donors and financial supporters for helping to make this book donation possible.
Bloomsbury was one of the publishers supporting the initial shipment. Bloomsbury Chief Executive and Book Aid International President Nigel Newton CBE spoke of his support for the campaign, saying:
I am delighted that a relationship forged a year ago at The London Book Fair has had such a positive outcome and that Book Aid International has been able to support the Unbreakable Libraries project. Ensuring continued access to books for Ukrainians who are facing immeasurable challenges must remain at the forefront of this collaboration. I urge more publishers to join this important initiative by donating books, funds and spreading the word.
The additional donation of 15,000 books from Book Aid International in 2024 will ensure that PEN Ukraine is able to expand its work and support even more libraries.
Note to editors:
For further information, please contact Sabrina Tucci, PEN International Communications and Campaigns Manager, Sabrina.Tucci@pen-international.org
