We the undersigned, representing the UK community of librarians, archivists and information professionals, wish to extend our solidarity and support for our professional colleagues in Ukraine during the current military action by Russia.

We are gravely concerned at the threat posed by this action to the safety of the Ukrainian people, their heritage and identity, as well as to the security of our professional colleagues.

Ukraine is a nation with a rich literary heritage and tradition. Its libraries and archives are home to great collections of works of literature, history and research, documenting the development of Ukrainian culture, identity and language. It is of vital importance to ensure that this body of knowledge, research and creativity is protected for future generations.

The integrity of the public record as well as the safety and intellectual freedom of the civilian population are pre-requisites of any Nation State that aspires to legitimacy or credibility within the international community.

Librarians, archivists and information professionals play a vital role in promoting reading, literacy and access to information for the citizens and communities they serve. It is essential that they are permitted to continue this work in safety and free from coercion or threat.

We encourage political leaders in the UK Government and international community to work together in order to restore peace and security for Ukraine as a member of the international community in good standing and subject to the international agreements and accords already set in place to guarantee this security, including compliance with the international obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property, and its protocols.

The library, archive and information professional community in the UK will work with our colleagues around the world to offer whatever support and solidarity we can to our professional colleagues in Ukraine.

Signatories

Alison Tarrant, CEO, School Library Association
Professor Alison Baverstock, Founder and Director of Reading Force
Ann Rossiter, Chief Executive, SCONUL
Amina Shah, Chief Executive, National Library of Scotland
Andrew Griffiths, CEO, Federation for Informatics Professionals in Health and Care
David C Prosser, Executive Director, RLUK
Heather Marshall, Chair of CILIP in Scotland Trustee Board, Senior Librarian, Glasgow Caledonian University
Isobel Hunter MBE, Chief Executive, Libraries Connected
Jeremy Jenkins, Chair, Art Libraries Society UK & Ireland
John Chambers, Chief Executive, Archives and Records Association
Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, The National Literacy Trust
Katharine Hogg, President, IAML (UK & Ireland)
Karen Napier MBE, CEO, The Reading Agency
Kate Robinson, President of CILIP and University Librarian, University of Bath
Liz Jolly, Chief Librarian, British Library
Lou Peck, Chair of CILIP Cymru Wales and CEO, The International Bunch
Lucy Crompton-Reid, Chief Executive, Wikimedia UK
Matthew Littleford, Chair, The Reading Agency
Nick Poole, Chief Executive, CILIP
Pedr Ap Llwyd, Chief Executive and Librarian, National Library of Wales
Richard Ovenden OBE, Bodley’s Librarian, Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Sarah Mahurter, Chair, CILIP Rare Books and Special Collections Group
Sue Lacey Bryant, Chair, CILIP

Sign our joint Statement of Solidarity with colleagues in Ukraine

It can seem like a small thing in the face of such horrific circumstances but we know from prior experience that messages of solidarity are very important to colleagues who find themselves in theatres of conflict or disaster zones around the world.

We invite you to add your name to our joint Statement of Solidarity please click here. You may keep your job title and organisation private, although it will be used for individual verification.

Thank you for your support.