Public library replenishment program 2021

1. In 2021, the UBI’s library and book publishing support department, which is the structural department of the UBI, conducted an open and transparent selection of books to restock public library funds in Ukraine.

The 2021 selection was conducted using software of the integrated library system (ILS), which gave the opportunity to provide transparent publishers’ book proposal estimation by experts and selected libraries.

Normative basis

Results of the 2021 selection:

1. 114 publishers’ proposals (applications) for the books selection aimed at public library replenishment were accepted and processed with a total of 2 660 copies of each book title (book proposal) submitted for selection.

Based on the results of the technical selection, 276 book proposals by publishers were denied, which comprises 10.33% of the total number of submitted proposals (applications).

1. The UBI conducted the selection of libraries — recipients of books for the replenishment of library funds. Based on proposals of structural departments specializing in cultural issues of regional and Kyiv city state administrations, the list of selected libraries was formed. Those are exemplary libraries having their own website or a social media page, organizing events for reading promotion and ready for changes.

The list of selected libraries includes 616 public libraries, categorized by reading audience as follows:

1. mixed — 341 libraries;
2. adult — 118 libraries;
3. children’s — 157 libraries.

The selected libraries participated in the estimation of book titles proposed by publishers for selection, taking into account libraries’ needs. The libraries estimated books via ILS e-cabinet.

1. In order to provide objective, competent, rational and transparent selection of books proposed for purchase and replenishment of public library funds, an additional competitive selection of experts of the government entity “The Ukrainian Book Institute” was conducted to form Expert councils.

The UBI formed three Expert councils consisting of 62 experts and divided by categories:

• estimation of children’s and young adults’ literature — 20 experts;
• estimation of fiction literature for adults — 15 experts;
• estimation of other (non-fiction) literature for adults — 27 experts.

Among the members of the Expert councils, 22 experts have academic degrees, including 17 Candidates of Sciences (mainly in History and Linguistics) and 5 Doctors of Sciences.

The Expert councils processed 2,384 books divided by categories:

• children’s and young adults’ literature — 690;
• fiction literature for adults — 1,004;
• other (non-fiction) literature for adults — 690.

1. The experts selected 689 book titles:

439 — children’s and young adults’ literature;

120 — fiction literature for adults;

1.  — other (non-fiction) literature for adults

1. Based on recommendations of Expert councils and the MCIP order, the list of books consisting of 689 book titles was formed. These books were purchased and used to restock library funds. 498 copies of each book title in the category of children’s and young adults’ literature and 459 copies of each book title in the category of adult literature (fiction and other (non-fiction)) were purchased.

1. Based on the results of negotiation procedures, 86 purchase agreements were signed covering a total of 684 book titles. The UBI purchased 331,077 books to the total of UAH 48.361 million.

1. Based on the list of books, the distribution of the purchased books among structural departments specializing in cultural issues of regional and Kyiv city state administrations, national and public libraries accountable to the MCIP was approved and implemented by the order of the UBI. A total of 31 recipients. The transfer of books to the selected libraries in the regions was implemented by regional universal scientific libraries specified by the regional structural departments of the regional state administrations, in charge of receipt of books from the UBI and distribution among the selected libraries.

Following the distribution, each of the 616 selected libraries received the relevant number of books according to the reading audience: children’s library — 439 books; adult library — 245 books; mixed library — 684 books.

8. Publishers delivered books to national and public libraries, regional centers and the city of Kyiv (31 libraries) to the total of 331,077copies.
9. Payments according to the agreements were completed in December 2021.