The National Library of Ukraine hosted a Library Forum for Children

On December 19, the National Library of Ukraine for Children hosted the Library Forum “Children’s Library in the Information Society: Searching for Harmony, Ways of Transformation.” This event brought together library specialists, representatives of government agencies, public organizations, and businesses. The main goal of the forum was to increase the prestige and social status of libraries for children and youth, as well as libraries of territorial communities that serve as cultural and educational centers. In this context, strategic directions for the development of libraries under martial law and their place in supporting children and families were also discussed.

The opening speech at the forum was delivered by Alla Hordienko, Director General of the National Library of Ukraine for Children and President of the Ukrainian Association of Library Workers for Children, who introduced the guests of honor to the attendees. Among them were Volodymyr Kolyadenko, Vice President of the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as other representatives from various industries, including politicians, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures.

During the forum, the results of the 7th All-Ukrainian Review-Competition of Regional Libraries for Children and the 2nd All-Ukrainian Competition of Projects Dedicated to Cultural Services for Youth were presented. Participants demonstrated successful library practices, particularly in frontline regions, demonstrating their ability to ensure the continuity of cultural services and to implement innovative approaches.

Among the winners of the 7th All-Ukrainian Review-Competition, the following received awards:
– 1st place — Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Library for Children with the project “Rozkvitay”;
– 2nd place — Cherkasy Regional Library for Children with the project “Reading Club “Book Surfers”;
– 3rd place — Lviv Regional Library for Children with the project “Innovation Park for Librarians “Leoteka 4.0.

The following winners were determined in the competition “LIBRARY SERVICES – FOR CHILDREN”:
– 1st place — the project “Book + Spoon” from the Chornobaivka Village Library, Kherson Region;
– 2nd place — the project “Safety School “On Guard of Health” of the Central City Library for Children in Kropyvnytskyi;
– 3rd place — the project “Euroquest: Code of Europe. Journey for Values” of the Centralized System of Public Libraries of the Kostyantynivka City Council, Donetsk Region.