Published: November 13, 2025 by Kelly Famuliner

Attending and presenting at the International Archives Congress in Barcelona, Spain––an event that feels like the Olympics for archivists!––was a transformative experience. I am incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to represent Team Ukraine and the SJSU iSchool, bringing awareness about the impactful partnership between the Ukrainian Library Association and library and information science professionals and scholars from around the U.S., united in solidarity towards the creation of a digital archives documenting the destruction of Ukrainian libraries during the ongoing war.

The archives, Ukrainian Libraries During Wartime, will offer insight into how damage to libraries and the materials they hold transcend their physical nature to contribute to the loss of collective memory and cultural identity. Towards this end, in addition to providing access to the hundreds of images and descriptions of destruction we have received from the Ukrainian Library Association, the archives will contribute to cementing each library’s legacy within their communities; bearing witness to what was lost and the resilience of Ukrainian librarians as they continue to diligently serve their communities during wartime. In this way, it is our hope that the archives can contribute to the collective memory of the nation of Ukraine.

In addition to presenting, I was afforded the incredible opportunity to attend numerous impactful sessions and workshops and meet archivists from around the world. From learning about archiving initiatives in Palestine, the application of decolonization principles within archival processes (from appraisal to exhibition), real world examples of archival repatriation, and recent developments regarding rules for describing photographic and audiovisual archives (as created by the Photographic and Audiovisual Expert Group of the International Council on Archives), I can honestly say that I left the Congress with an expanded view of the archival profession, as well as my future role as archivist.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Ukrainian Library Association (ULA) for providing the U.S.-based team with the opportunity to partner with your vital organization and librarians across Ukraine on this impactful project; to Dr. Ulia Gossart (SJSU) for encouraging me to attend the ICA Congress (and for serving as my mentor!); to the ULA and Team Ukraine for trusting me to represent this project at the Congress, including Oksana Brui (Deputy Director General at Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine and ULA President); Dr. Rhonda Clark (PennWest Clarion), Emily Brennen (Rocky Vista University), Claire Williams (SJSU), Rebecca Short (SJSU), and Sarah Schwartz (SJSU); and to the SJSU School of Information for their provision of a travel grant that enabled me to present at and attend the ICA Congress.

For more information about the Ukrainian Libraries During Wartime archives project, please visit our website: https://ischoolblogs.sjsu.edu/community-engagement/ukrainian-libraries-in-wartime/

Editor’s Note: The SJSU iSchool highly encourages students to attend professional conferences but also realizes that it can be cost prohibitive. Travel grants are available to eligible students to help lessen the financial burden and increase conference participation. iSchool student Kelly Famuliner​​​ received one of these travel grants.