Libraries Connected has developed a partnership with Library Country, the Ukrainian library association. We have spoken at their conference, held an exchange webinar for UK and Ukrainian libraries, and invited their Director to speak at our annual seminar. In May 2023, we attended the twinning event for Liverpool and Odesa public libraries which was also attended by the King and Queen, Ukrainian Ambassador and the Ukrainian First Lady. A case study below describes this twinning in more detail.

We consulted our members via Basecamp, and there is a strong appetite for twinning with Ukrainian libraries to show solidarity, exchange skills and experience and connect audiences.

We have developed a framework to support the twinning of UK and Ukrainian public libraries. We hope the twinnings will:

• Promote information exchange about language, literature and culture
• Foster distribution of reliable information to counter disinformation
• Exchange of experience
• Exchange of books and digital materials
• Collaboration on cultural events and connecting audiences

It is also hoped that the programme will provide a model that could be used with other nations.

If you are interested in taking part in this programme and being twinned with a Ukrainian library then please complete the application form below. Please return to info@librariesconnected.org.uk by Friday 15 March 2024.