The American University Kyiv (AUK) Library and the Ukrainian Library Association (ULA) have recently entered an official partnership, marking a moment in realizing common goals in the development of library services. Established in September 2022, the AUK Library acts as an important pillar in the university's academic structure, providing comprehensive informational support for the institution's multifaceted educational and scientific pursuits. The array of resources offered by the library is extensive, spanning traditional printed books to modern digital platforms such as VitalSources and ProQuest Ebook Central, along with cutting-edge learning platforms like WebAssign and MindTap.
On the other side of this partnership is the ULA, a robust and well-respected public organization representing a large segment of the library workforce in Ukraine. Specifically, the ULA acts on behalf of nearly 69,000 library workers scattered across a network of more than 39,000 libraries spanning the breadth and depth of the country. Their scope of work involves a variety of libraries, including public, university, school, and special libraries. The ULA is passionately committed to ensuring the rights of library users to quality and timely library service and access to information, thus making it a suitable partner for the AUK Library, given their shared goals and ambitions.
This partnership melds the AUK Library's commitment to supporting innovative research and educational endeavors with the ULA's comprehensive network and profound expertise in library management. Working together, they aim to influence the evolution of Ukraine's library and information sphere in a positive direction, promoting increased accessibility to knowledge, and advocating for free speech. The alliance not only sets to elevate educational resource provision but also aims to improve library management practices across the nation, drawing on the ULA's recognition as a professional community of Ukraine and its undeniable contribution to the library profession and library and information education.
Moreover, this partnership is a testament to the AUK Library's dedication to the global standards of higher education and its mission of fostering a culturally and academically rich environment for its student body and faculty. It also reinforces the ULA's role as an essential democratic institution for library management in Ukraine, one that actively defends citizens' rights to access a wealth of knowledge and information.
Ultimately, the partnership between the AUK Library and the ULA illustrates a common vision – to bolster the role of libraries as fundamental components of the educational infrastructure, vital for nurturing the development of a knowledge-based society. In combining their strengths and resources, they hope to enhance the academic experience for Ukrainian students, fostering an environment conducive to innovative learning and critical thinking.
