Hello everyone!
I wanted to take a moment to briefly talk about a nonprofit organization that is active around the world, and highlight what they are up to in both Ukraine and the US: Libraries Without Borders (Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (for the US branch, use this link).
It is a network of non-governmental organizations (the founding organization based in France) established in 2007. From it’s website:
Since 2007, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders) has worked to bring knowledge and information to people in need. We provide access and resources that connect people to books and digital resources, expanding the reach of libraries, training facilitators in post-emergency situations, and addressing the needs of under-resourced communities. From laundromats in Oakland, California, to refugee camps in Bangladesh, we bring tools to reduce inequality of access to information and knowledge.
LWB works mainly in two areas — underserved populations and disaster/emergency areas — to bring resources to those populations.
Ukraine
In the case of Ukraine, since the invasion began LWB has deployed Ideas Boxes (more about those later) in the cities of Lviv, Drohobych, Vinnytsia, Butcha, and Dnipro. To give an example of what this provides:
In Vinnytsia, [LWB] fosters that same space for the community. In the Kvadrat youth center, located in the basement of an air raid shelter, an Ideas Box serves the youth and their relatives. Every day, employees at Kvadrat organize activities including board games, 3D modeling, introduction to graphic design, literary evenings, art therapy, English classes, etc.
United States
In the United States, LWB focuses on underserved communities more than disaster areas. Among it’s efforts include utilizing laundromats or sometimes grocery stores to place library materials or to hold library programs, turning them into mini-satellite libraries for main branches.
Idea Boxes
Remember those Idea Boxes I mentioned before?
They are, essentially, mobile libraries, and not just the books — it’s a community center in a box. A typical Idea Box includes not only a couple hundred books, but also wi-fi or satellite connectivity, tablets/computers, cameras, board games, arts and crafts materials, and a stage area for presentations/performances,
The Ideas Box is highly-durable, easy to set-up and energy-independent. Within twenty minutes of unloading the box, users will have access to a satellite internet connection, digital server, a power generator, 25 tablets and laptops, 6 HD cameras, 1 large HD screen, board games, arts and crafts materials, hardcover and paperback books, and a stage for music and theatre. Our expert team also ensures that each Ideas Box is customized to meet local needs by collaborating with organizations, leaders and members within the community.
Here’s a quick video showing the setup of an Ideas Box, which can be setup in minutes.
Here is another video showing the deployment of an Ideas Box and the impact it can have.
What impact have these had in Ukraine? Here’s a sample:
“Working and interacting with these refugees is a constant challenge that requires attention, gentleness, patience, and empathy. Some of them are closed off, tired, others feel isolated. Often the children feel trauma from the bombings they’ve survived. Sometimes they hide under a table, or don’t want to talk much.
There’s this one 9-year-old boy who was initially silent and shy when he first came to the Ideas Box a few weeks ago with his parents. In order to connect, we would use puppets. I would put a parrot puppet on my hand and he would put a zebra or a giraffe on his. Sometimes we’d make jokes, other times we’d talk about more serious things… This boy kept coming back often, and over time, he started to talk, to make friends. The puppets we used allowed him to express himself more freely.” Hlib Lobanov.
And a bit more:
“One day in December, we welcomed more than 500 children and teenagers from the occupied territories around Donetsk. On that day, the Ideas Box reached its full potential. It allowed the kids to have fun, be social, and enjoy meaningful interactions with culture and technology.” Anastassia Moldovan.
Not much more to add, just wanted to raise awareness of this organization and what they do. As noted, they are active in Ukraine right now and have deployed their Ideas Boxes in at least five Ukrainians cities to serve people whose lives have been disrupted by the Russian invasion of their country. The first one was deployed to Ukraine less than a month after the invasion began. d