Are you attending WLIC 2023 in Rotterdam this August? Then bring a book to donate to Ukraine. 🇺🇦
About Books for Ukraine
Ukrainian data shows that 299 libraries have been destroyed, 89 libraries were heavily damaged, and over 187 thousand documents or copies have been lost or destroyed as a consequence of the war with Russia.
Kateryna Aleksieienko, a librarian in Ukraine, alongside her colleagues, is collaborating with charities to collect books for Ukrainian libraries under the initiative Books for Ukraine. The programme intends to equip the collections not only to make them more inclusive and diversified but also to develop bridges between Ukraine and the rest of Europe and to play a role in helping Ukrainians raise their language skills.
How can you contribute?
It’s simple! Bring a book to IFLA’s WLIC 2023 in Rotterdam Ahoy. A box will be set up at the conference centre where all of the books will be collected, and the Rotterdam public library will store these books in its Rotterdam Zuidplein Library until the end of the conference. At the end of the book collection period, our Ukrainian colleagues will transport the books to Ukraine by road.
What type of books are needed?
Whether fiction or nonfiction and regardless of language, all book donations are appreciated and encouraged, as Ukrainian libraries are experiencing a book shortage, particularly of books in foreign languages. The sole requirement is that the donated books be in good condition and usable.
We’re positive we can collect a couple of hundred books in no time if everyone brings a book to WLIC in Rotterdam, so make sure you get involved!
