Charitable Foundation “Library Country” receivesd the British Public Library Champion Award 2025

Charitable Foundation “Library Country” won the prestigious Public Library Champion Award 2025 in the United Kingdom.

The award recognizes organizations that play an active role in supporting public libraries, raising awareness of their importance, and promoting library advocacy both nationally and globally. In Ukraine’s context, it acknowledges the unwavering strength of libraries that, even amid war, remain vital centers of support for their communities.

“We are sincerely grateful to Libraries Connected for their support, trust, and partnership. This award is a recognition of the resilience and capacity to act in the most difficult times shown by the entire Ukrainian library community. It symbolizes our shared struggle for freedom, humanity, and knowledge. We deeply thank the British people for their support, solidarity, and belief in the power of culture,” said Liusiena Shum, head of the Library Country Foundation.

The winners were announced during an official ceremony on June 10 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK.

Libraries Connected is a national network of public libraries across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and British Overseas Territories, established in 1996. The organization supports libraries as spaces for development, community cohesion, education, and culture.

The Charitable Foundation “Library Country” is the initiator of the international “Sister Libraries” program, which has already connected 45 library pairs from Ukraine and the United Kingdom to collaborate in the spheres of culture, education, sustainable development, and community support. In 2025, Libraries Connected presented a mobile library to Ukraine to help serve communities in war-affected and liberated areas.

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Image: Charitable Foundation Library Country

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn