Charity launches appeal to send mobile library to Ukraine

A crowdfunding appeal to buy and deliver a mobile library to Ukraine has been launched by the charity representing public libraries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Libraries Connected hopes to raise £10,000 to purchase a decommissioned mobile library and deliver it to Ukraine. 

The charity said that with more than 600 public libraries and 2,000 school libraries damaged or destroyed by Russian forces, communities in the worst affected areas of Ukraine are unable to access a library at all. 

Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected, said: "When our Ukrainian colleagues asked if we could help source them a mobile library, we were only too happy to help. 

"We’ve heard such heartbreaking stories from Ukraine – of libraries destroyed, collections burned, and library workers killed. 

"This may be a relatively small gesture, but it will make a big difference to our partners in Ukraine and the communities they serve."

The crowdfunding appeal will run for eight weeks until 7 June.