Librarians for Ukrainian Peace & Independence (LUPAI) is a global initiative to bring awareness to the war destruction of libraries and cultural heritage in Ukraine. LUPAI assists in the development of library collections (fundraisers and book drives); raises awareness about the impact of war on civilians curating a traveling exhibit of children's war art and organizing symposia and guest talks; and documents the destruction of Ukrainian libraries. The resilience of Ukrainian people, and our colleagues inspire and guide our efforts.
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History
In 2022, Dr. Ulia Gosart, born and raised in Ukraine, with her colleagues, commenced a fundraiser to support libraries in Ukraine. Their efforts led to technology donations to Cherkasy Universal Regional Library and led to partnerships with Saving Ukrainian Heritage Online, and the School of Information at San Jose State University. The Ukrainian Library Association (ULA) welcomed the initiative, leading to the development of a network of professional relationships across Ukraine and the U.S. united by solidarity and in service to the people of Ukraine. This impactful partnership served as a catalyst for Librarians for Ukrainian Peace & Independence (LUPAI), and is the fulcrum around which LUPAI develops and implements its projects and programming. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, we have worked to provide support to the Regional Universal Scientific Library named after Taras Shevchenko in Cherkasy; a City Library Branch for Children No. 1 of the Boyarka Public Library, Kyiv Region; and the Kherson Regional Universal Library in the city of Kherson.
Kherson Regional Universal Scientific Library (November 2023)
