ISSN 0892-4546 International Leads A Publication of the International Relations Round Table of the American Library Association Volume 16 March 2002 Number 1 Libraries in Ukraine: A Decade of Independence By Bradley L. Schaffner ust over ten years have passed since Ukraine declared its The author first visited Ukrainian libraries in 1995. This trip, Jindependence from the crumbling Soviet Union. The decade funded by the International Research and Exchanges Board has not been easy for the Ukrainian people as they strive to (IREX), assessed the overall situation of libraries and create a democratic state, a free-market economy, and a civil evaluated their current and future capability to continue book society. This transition period has been extremely difficult and serial exchanges with libraries in the United States. At for libraries and librarians who now have far less financial this time I noted that, budgets for acquisitions and daily support from the government for collections and general operations are insufficient and there is little money for library operations than during the Soviet period. This article provides a brief overview of the current state of Ukrainian libraries as seen through the microcosm of two academic/ research libraries in L’viv—the L’viv National University Library and the V. Stefanyk Scientific Library of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Both are major research institutions with the National University Library holding approximately three million volumes and the Library of the Academy of Science owning about seven million volumes. The author, along with Brian Baird, the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries Preservation Officer, had the opportunity to spend May and part of June 2001 in L’viv conducting collection condition surveys at the above mentioned libraries. The University of Kansas Center for Russian and East European Studies sent us to L’viv as part of the U. S. State Department’s Newly Independent The main building of the L’viv National University Library States College and University Partnership Program grant (Photo: Bradley Schaffner, June 2001) that was awarded to KU and L’viv National University. capital improvements and systems modernization. In fact, several librarians mentioned that administrators are often Ukraine, a country in Eastern Europe, is located between forced to decide whether they should use their library’s Russia, Poland and the Black Sea. As the second largest limited resources for acquisitions or to pay employees. The country in Europe, it is a little smaller than the state of Texas elimination of Soviet-era government “perks” for libraries, with a highly literate population of almost 49 million people. including free postal privileges and reliable deposit copy laws, In 2000, the estimated per capita average income was $3,850 exacerbated the poor financial situation in the newly per year with over half of the population living below the independent state. In 2001, it appears that the financial poverty line. Ukraine declared its independence from the situation is slowly improving for libraries and librarians. The Soviet Union on August 24, 1991. Although a decade government is drafting new deposit laws that will ensure that has passed since its independence, the country is still appropriate libraries will obtain copies on Ukrainian struggling to create a truly democratic form of government. Continued on page 2 March 2002 International Leads 2 Libraries in Ukraine IRRT Officers Continued from page 1 Chair publications. Ukrainian librarians no H. Lea WellsH. Lea Wells longer complain, publicly at least, that North Carolina State University they are not getting paid for months on end. Unfortunately, salaries for library Vice Chair/Chair-Elect staff are unremittingly low. All of the Karen J. Starr librarians interviewed last spring also Southeastern New York Library talked of limited funds being available for the acquisition of some new Past Chair publications. However, the resources Fred Lynden available to fund the operation of Brown University libraries continue to be insufficient to meet the needs of the institutions. Secretary/Treasurer The new building of the L’viv Jeannette E. Pierce Regardless of the financial situation, National University Library Johns Hopkins University enhancements of library services are (Photo: Bradley Schaffner, June 2001) being instituted. Both the L’viv University Library has undergone Members-at-Large National University Library and V. limited renovation, but much work Mary A. Sherman Stefanyk Scientific Library of the remains to be done. Most importantly, Pioneer Library System National Academy of Sciences of the roof over the main section of the Ukraine are using “smart cards” to building that houses the stacks is Members-at-Large control access into the library and to badly in need of repair. There has been Rebecka Lindau monitor a patron’s use of library a long-standing problem of water leaking New York University materials. Having spent most of my through the skylights that provide professional life visiting libraries in natural illumination for the stacks. This Russia and Ukraine on a regular basis, of course, damages the books, many it came as a pleasant surprise to see this of which were published in the modern equipment being utilized. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. past patrons had to have a passbook, The University and government International Leads (ISSN 0892- similar to a passport, to enter a library. acknowledge the problem and, as 4546) is published quarterly by the International Relations Round Table of Security at libraries was labor-intensive, resources become available, they are the American Library Association in working to solve the problem. with library guards checking everyone March, June, September, and who entered and left the building. Now, December. The first issue was libraries in L’viv have similar security Ironically, additional financial resources published in 1957. IL contains news devices that one would see in most for construction could also have a about international library activities, research libraries in the United States. negative impact on collections. New the international work of ALA and In addition to smart cards, the libraries buildings and improved heating and other organizations, and people and are working to create online catalogs cooling systems could adversely effect publications in the field. IL is indexed and to provide access to additional the condition of publications housed by Library Literature and Library and Information Science Abstracts electronic resources, things most users in these libraries. About twenty years (LISA) and is sent free to all members ago the L’viv National University in the U. S. take for granted. As with so of IRRT (dues $10); non-ALA many other things, limited financial Library constructed a building to house members can subscribe for $12 per resources are hindering progress. some technical service operations and year by writing to International However, librarians in these places are stack space. The building has a modern Relations Office, American Library determined and progress is being made heating system that is, unfortunately, Association, 50 E. Huron Street, despite great difficulties. not able to optimally regulate the climate Chicago, IL 60611. Materials for IL of the building. Because of the should be sent to International Upgrading the physical plant appears fluctuations in temperature, hot and dry Leads Editor, Sha Li Zhang, Wichita to be the biggest challenge facing many in the winter and humid and hot in the State University Libraries, 1845 libraries in Ukraine. In the realm of summer, many of the publications in this Fairmont, Wichita, KS 67260, USA, e-mail: facilities, libraries in L’viv are making building are becoming brittle much more slow improvements. For example, the quickly than books stored in the main [email protected] main building of the L’viv National Continued on page 8 March 2002 International Leads 3 Message from the IRRT Chair By H. Lea Wells ew Orleans’ good food and good times didn’t disappoint Paul Miller, who has spent two years in Azerbaijan, and Nas IRRT leaders converged to do the round tables’ another librarian from elsewhere. The Executive Board business at ALA Midwinter. On Friday, prior to voted to make the Program Committee a standing committee well-attended IRRT subcommittee meetings on Saturday with two-year terms. As part of its charge the Program January 19, 2002, the International Relations Office and Committee will develop a mechanism to coordinate International Relations Committee chaired by Nancy John international programs at future conferences. The program hosted a planning meeting. See details elsewhere in this issue. for Toronto 2003 will be on international standards. At the Executive Board meeting on Sunday morning we The Sister Libraries Subcommittee chaired by Sarah Long heard reports from each of the subcommittees and liaisons. and Mary Sherman continues its work promoting The minutes were presented by secretary/treasurer Jeannette connections between international and American libraries. Pierce and accepted by the board. We reviewed and Committee members are planning a program for 2003. accepted the budget with a positive net balance. The chair Membership continues with its campaign to add IRRT reported on annual conference business, Nancy John on IRC members. The handsome new brochure prepared by business, and Michael Dowling brought us up-to-date on Publications Subcommittee, chaired by Barbara Kile, is IFLA and other actions of his office. We are fortunate to available to anyone who would like brochures for have Michael and his capable assistant Delin Guerra recruitment. Contact Barbara at [email protected] or Ravil Veli managing international relations for the association. at [email protected]. May Chang, our Webmaster, has done a wonderful job updating the IRRT website http:// International Visitors Center subcommittee led by Bleue www.ala.org/irrt/. She will be expanding content in coming Benton is preparing to greet and assist international months. The Nominating Committee under the leadership attendees.