Ukrainian Libraries at a Time of Political Unrest: Observations from a Ten-Day Journey

A partnership between Ukraine’s National University of Kyiv Mohyla-Academy and Emporia State University in the United States enabled the author to visit Ukraine in 2011 to tour libraries and talk with librarians. Ukrainian librarians are embracing intellectual freedom, but the vestiges of the Soviet legacy can still be seen in aspects ranging from closed stacks to the lack of technology in libraries. This paper discusses the author’s experiences and observations and how, almost twenty-five years after the country’s independence, Ukrainian libraries continue to develop in ways to enhance the lives and support open information for Ukrainians. It also examines why, even in the wake of recent political upheavals when the country is again facing questions and an uncertain future, hope can still be found in a library.