Oksana Brui (Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine), Oleh Serbin (Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine), Tetiana Chorna (National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Library) (ONLINE)
Preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage are crucial for maintaining national memory and identity, especially in times of war. Since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many memory institutions have been destroyed or damaged, and many cultural heritage objects have been lost or are at risk. Digitalising documentary heritage and creating the National Digital Library of Ukraine will ensure long-term preservation of these documents for future generations and public access to them.
This paper presents the significance of documentary heritage and the collective responsibility for its protection and preservation, as defined by UNESCO. The authors review the challenges faced by Ukrainian memory institutions in preserving documentary heritage over many years and since February 24, 2022. The presentation highlights the joint efforts of these institutions, including the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine, the State, particularly the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, non-governmental organizations such as the Ukrainian Library Association, as well as international institutions to overcome these obstacles and ensure long-term accessibility to documentary heritage.
The paper examines the implementation of the National Digital Library of Ukraine as an effective tool for preserving and accessing the documentary heritage of Ukraine in the face of challenges.