LIBBORDER
Libraries' Roles in Refugee Response Efforts Bordering a Conflict Zone (LIBBORDER) project examines how public libraries in Hungary and Poland, two countries bordering Ukraine, responded to the influx of Ukrainian refugees following the 2022 outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. Library roles, programs, partnerships, and their implications for professional and management roles and competencies were analyzed. Using mixed methods, the study investigated previously unstudied 2018 questionnaire data and twelve subsequent staff interviews. Findings reveal libraries addressing evolving refugee needs in three phases: meeting primary needs, supporting settlement, and emphasizing literacy and integration. Despite variations between Poland and Hungary, both countries' libraries played significant roles in community support. However, their effectiveness depended on integration into local initiatives and securing support. Further research is deemed necessary to understand global library services to refugees and immigrants amidst increasing migration.
Project Duration: February 2022 - January 2024
Project Members
Project Leader:
Jamie Johnston
Project Members:
Casper Hvenegaard Rasmussen
Henrik Jochumsen
Mahmood Khosrowjerdi
Małgorzata Kisilowska-Szurmińska
Mia Høj Mathiasson
Anna Mierzecka
Anna Olson
Magdalena Paul
Ágústa Pálsdóttir
Kerstin Rydbeck
Roswitha Skare
Máté Tóth
Andreas Vårheim
Project Outputs
Publications
In review: Johnston J., Mierzecka, A., Tóth, M., Paul, M., Kisilowska, M., Khosrowjerdi, M., Vårheim, A., Rydbeck K., Hvenegaard Rasmussen, C., Jochumsen, H., Pálsdóttir, Á., Olson, A., Skare, R., Mathiasson, M. (2024) Public Libraries' Role in Supporting Ukrainian Refugees: A Focus on Hungary and Poland. Unpublished manuscript.
Presentations
Johnston, Jamie (2023). Public Library Services for Ukrainian Refugees in Hungary and Poland. Visiting Scholar Seminar. School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Roswitha Skare (2023): PubLIB for Immigrants & Refugees: A presentation of the research project. Environmental Collaborations. Climate, Migrations and Heritage. The National Museum in Gdansk, Poland.
Johnston, Jamie ; Pálsdóttir, Ágústa (2023). Public Library Services for Ukrainian Refugees in Hungary and Poland. RÁÐSTEFNA ÞJÓÐARSPEGILSINS 2023 [The National Reflection Conference 2023]. University of Iceland, Iceland.
Johnston, Jamie; Mierzecka, Anna; Tóth, Máté; Vårheim, Andreas; Hvenegaard Rasmussen, Casper; Rydbeck, Kerstin; Pálsdóttir, Ágústa; Jochumsen, Henrik; Khosrowjerdi, Mahmood; Kisilowska, Małgorzata; Skare, Roswitha; Paul, Magdalena; Olson, Anna (2023). Public Library Services for Ukrainian Refugees in Hungary and Poland. LIBRARIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE (LIDA) 2023. Department of Information Sciences, University of Osijek, Croatia.
Johnston, Jamie (2023). Public Library Services for Ukrainian Refugees in Hungary and Poland: Research in Progress. Erasmus+ Teaching Mobility. Department of ALM, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Lectures
Title: Public Library Services for Ukrainian Refugees in Hungary and Poland
This lecture delves into public libraries' responses to Ukrainian refugees in Hungary and Poland post-2022 Russia-Ukraine war. It investigates library strategies, programs, and partnerships, analyzing implications for staff and management. Employing a mixed-method approach, it examines 2018 questionnaire data and staff interviews, revealing a three-phase approach by libraries: immediate assistance, settlement support, and integration services. Varied library services and refugee demographics between Hungary and Poland are highlighted, offering insights into distinct challenges. Despite sample size limitations, the study emphasizes public libraries' central role in community response, driven by inclusivity and engagement principles.
Contact: Jamie Johnston (jamijo@oslomet.no) for more information.
Delivery: This lecture is available online, in-person, and via video (available in multiple languages).