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Statement on Ukraine

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We stand with and in support of our professional colleagues in Ukraine and with all caught in the humanitarian crisis and military action—and with their family and friends.

In this current state, the risk to human life is of primary importance. The appeal by the Ukrainian Library Association notes that libraries in Ukraine continue to provide emergency shelter, work against disinformation, and offer online services.  ARL is communicating with the international library community as well as with its member institutions to offer our support.

It is also vitally important to protect the body of knowledge, research, and creativity that exists in and is unique to Ukraine. We support efforts from within our global community to do so.  We encourage political leaders in Canada, the United States, and the international community to work together in restoring peace and safety, and to adhere to international agreements and accords, including compliance with the international obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property and its protocols.

We applaud the continued efforts, including heroic individual efforts, to counter misinformation and to protect the intellectual freedom critical to a democratic society.

About the Association of Research Libraries

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 126 research libraries in Canada and the US whose mission is to advance research, learning, and scholarly communication. The Association fosters the open exchange of ideas and expertise; advances diversity, equity, and inclusion; and pursues advocacy and public policy efforts that reflect the values of the library, scholarly, and higher education communities. ARL forges partnerships and catalyzes the collective efforts of research libraries to enable knowledge creation and to achieve enduring and barrier-free access to information. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.

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