The library bus, which has served Tallinn readers for 17 years, started its journey to Ukraine

The library bus donated by the City of Tallinn to the Kharkiv Korolenko National Research Library started its journey to Ukraine on 15 September, where it is expected to start its work already next week.

“It is good to know that Katarina Jee is welcome and needed in Ukraine. We have done a lot of preparatory work and we know exactly where she is going and what an important role she will play around Kharkiv. Sending the bus on its way today, it was the hope of all of us that we would be able to pay her a visit in peaceful Ukraine, so that the bus could be sent on its final well-deserved retirement,” commented Deputy Mayor Kaarel Oja.

Over the last three and a half years, 53 public libraries in Ukraine have been completely destroyed and a further 179 libraries have suffered various forms of damage. The Kharkiv region has been under constant Russian missile and drone attacks. This is why Kharkiv’s Korolenko National Research Library sends Katarina Jee to areas where there is currently no library service.

“We are delighted that our old library bus will be able to bring joy to the children and others in Kharkiv who live in difficult conditions every day,” said Kaie Holm, Director of Tallinn Libraries.

Along with the library bus, the digital service of the City of Tallinn is also sending used but in good condition IT equipment to Ukraine to support Kharkiv libraries. As part of the Tallinn Ukraine programme, a new AED resuscitator, first aid equipment, a fire extinguisher and, of course, books in English and Ukrainian were purchased for the bus.

In Ukraine, mobile libraries are being actively developed throughout the country, especially in the Kharkiv region. “Thanks to the support of our Estonian partners, we hope that mobile libraries equipped with books and computers will be able to reach even more communities. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our Estonian friends for their invaluable support. Your help is not only an important material contribution, but also a powerful expression of solidarity,” said Natalia Petrenko, Director of the Kharkiv Korolenko National Research Library.

The library bus will be transported to Ukraine by trailer DSV ESTONIA AS. “The biggest concern is the safety of the DSV bus driver. We hope everything will go well,” said Triinu Seppam-Saar, Service Director of Tallinn Libraries. The bus is expected to arrive by the end of this week.

At the end of 2024, Tallinn Libraries retired its old library bus Katarina Jee, which served the citizens of Tallinn for nearly 17 years. During this time, the bus has travelled more than 142,000 kilometres, served 200,000 readers and lent 300,000 items.

From the end of 2024, the Katarina Jee library bus will be serving the citizens of Tallinn with a new Tallinn Libraries visual.