Most academic libraries are evolving beyond their traditional roles (Schlak, 2018). They are emerging as vital spaces for fostering social cohesion, providing inclusive environments where diverse communities can engage and collaborate. The current war in Ukraine has significantly challenged European Higher Education libraries, compelling them to adapt to the needs of displaced students. Libraries play a vital role in supporting resilience and fostering collaboration between different institutions across the country (Antczak, Gruszka, 2023). The integration of refugees into the HE system can be a challenge for institutions. The university library can become a unifying, inclusive and collaborative unit that can help strengthen support systems for refugee students.

This report provides an overview of the power of academic libraries to promote social inclusion and cohesion through the organization and implementation of social actions carried out by KTU with Ukrainian refugees. All the activities carried out as part of Work Package 4 Activity 4 to expand existing knowledge and practices on how academic libraries could foster refugees’ inclusion and integration within academia.

You can read the whole document online on Zenodo here : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14010751

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