Libraries APPG Ukraine Meeting

On Wednesday 27 April 2022 I attended a virtual meeting of the Libraries Information and Knowledge All-Party Parliamentary Group, chaired by Gill Furniss MP. Ukraine’s collections of literature, history and research are at risk from Russian rocket and bomb attacks. As well as being important for the identity of the Ukrainian people, public records and library collections are essential for national recovery post-conflict. Librarians are also playing a role in guarding against misinformation.

We heard from librarians in Ukraine about their experiences since Russia invaded, and their efforts to safeguard their country’s cultural heritage, including through digitisation. They also spoke about the importance of Western nations enforcing cultural sanctions against Russia. 

Other speakers included Nick Poole, the CEO of the Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals, and Sheila Bennett, the head of the Public Libraries team at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.