LUPAI Projects
Updated 2/25/2026
In 2023, the U.S.-based team was sent 14 photographs and descriptions from Ukrainian librarians documenting extensive physical damage and the emotional devastation resulting from the library damage and destruction, serving as the foundation upon which the Ukraine During Wartime archives was created. Since that time, photographic evidence and descriptions of the destruction of libraries has grown exponentially––from 14 to over 500 images. In an effort to continue to increase the amount of information and quality of metadata received, members of Team Ukraine, Emily Brennen (Rocky Vista University) and Kelly Famuliner (San José State University) developed a pilot survey that will be disseminated among Ukrainian libraries in Spring 2026. To protect the health and safety of the Ukrainian librarians providing documentation of their experiences and those of their beloved community, the Ukraine During Wartime digital archives is not currently accessible by the public. Ultimately, the archives belong to the people of Ukraine who will oversee and maintain it once it is safe for them to do so within their borders.
With the war in Ukraine entering its fourth year, the initiative has grown to encompass several projects, and continues to attract volunteers, and activists to support Ukrainian colleagues and to develop library professions in crisis settings. Responding to the full scale invasion, in addition to the development of the digital archives, our initiatives include fundraising, book and technology donations, awareness raising and dissemination of information about the experiences of Ukrainians during wartime via symposia, publishing, working with the press, and thematic programming, including our traveling exhibit of Ukrainian children’s art and poetry about the war.