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National Library News

November 1995, vol. 27, no. 11

Visiting the State Historical Library of Ukraine

by Iris Winston, Staff Writer

The librarians at the State Historical Library of Ukraine (SHL) in Kyiv (formerly Kiev), who have no union catalogue available, sometimes visit other libraries in the city to search their catalogues, or copy material by hand in response to interlibrary loan requests. They have little choice: until recently, they had no photocopier.

That particular need was answered when two Canadian volunteers, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, visited the SHL thanks to the Canada-Ukraine Partners Program (CUPP). Irena Bell, who represented the National Library of Canada, and Nadia Kazymyra-Dzioba of the National Archives of Canada, used some of the CUPP funds provided for purchasing equipment to buy a copier and supplies. They used the rest of the money to buy a modem and Internet connection for the single 386 computer owned by the SHL.

Working conditions in Ukraine's libraries are far from ideal; indeed, completely outside the experience of Canadian libraries. For example, there are automobiles inside some libraries: renting out their spacious lobbies to car dealerships is one way that the cash-strapped organizations raise funds. They frequently close at dusk to conserve electricity, and their telephones are periodically disconnected for up to a month at a time.

But the SHL staff are not complaining about their situation; far from it. They are excited that material that was censored or restricted by the former USSR is now available. It was said that most of Ukraine's libraries were destroyed during World War II, and many books and precious manuscripts were removed by occupying Nazi forces. Some of these books are now being returned by the German government. During the Canadians' visit, the SHL received a shipment of 600 such books, which created great excitement.

Ukraine's current economic difficulties are balanced by a new freedom in which information can be exchanged without official restraint, and contact with others outside the country is welcomed. It is because of this contact that the partnership program was founded. The CUPP visitors were at the SHL for four weeks (May 20-June 14) to help establish connections with Canadian libraries and research centres, assist in technical development, demonstrate Canadian information management practices, and obtain foreign publications for the SHL. This is one of the first steps in the SHL's long-range plan to set up a bibliographic information centre, and to compile a multi-volume bibliography on Ukraine's history. SHL also produces bibliographies on various historical topics; a recent example is a bibliography of works censored or restricted by the Soviet government.

"I believe our four-week assignment was successful and that we were able to address the issues identified by the SHL," says Bell, who was part of the Canadian delegation at the library's particular request. Activities included comparing various systems being developed by libraries in Kyiv in preparation for automation at the SHL, and meeting with staff from the various divisions of the library. "We also discussed our everyday lives and how democracy and a supply-and-demand economy work," says Bell. "I felt that these discussions were as important as those on professional library topics."

Left to right: I. Bell; V. Navrotska, Head of Libraries and Information Networks, Ministry of Culture of Ukraine; L. Makarenko, Director, State Historical Library of Ukraine; A. Komska, Deputy Director, State Historical Library of Ukraine.

Another concern for the staff at SHL was how to obtain copies of Canadian-Ukrainian publications. "Since so many books were forbidden during the Soviet period, the library has many gaps that it is now trying to fill," says Bell. "As a first step, I brought with me two boxes of books that were much appreciated."

During her time in Kyiv, Bell also visited the National Parliamentary Library of Ukraine and the Academy of Sciences Library, both of which have publication exchange programs with the National Library of Canada.

The two things that made the most lasting impressions, she says, are the professionalism and dedication of the library workers she met, and the beautiful location of the State Historical Library of Ukraine. The SHL is located on an eleventh-century heritage site, the Pecherska Lavra, or Monastery of the Caves. "This was the birthplace of Ukrainian culture," Bell says. "There is something magical about the place. It is a reminder that although the current situation is quite desperate, the potential for the country, its people and its libraries is great."