For the past year, the tragedy of the war in Ukraine has stunned the world and triggered a humanitarian crisis that affects millions of civilians, including children.
To help our customers continue to understand the situation, and help in any way they can, Queens Public Library has compiled a list of resources, including trustworthy materials with information about the conflict and the history of Ukraine, and books by Ukrainian authors. We have also listed a number of credible organizations that are working to provide aid and assistance to those in need.
Please see below for the collection of resources available through Queens Public Library.
Books, Authors, and News Resources from QPL
Where to Donate Supplies in Queens
Resources for Ukrainian New Yorkers
Local Ukrainian Businesses & Religious Institutions
Aid Organizations and Resources
Cultural Programming at QPL
Composing and Listening in Ukraine in the Time of War (In-Person)
This talk will present some of the most interesting art music composed in Ukraine as a response to the Russian invasion. Dr. Oksana Nesterenko will introduce the current work of prominent composers and discuss their experiences composing, listening, and living in a time of war. She will also provide a historical background that will help us understand the reasons why it is particularly important for creative individuals in Ukraine to resist occupation. The program will be in English, with Ukrainian translation as is needed.
Thursday, March 2, 6PM
Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71 Avenue
Peace for Ukraine: A Jazz Celebration of Ukrainian Folk Music
Join us for an evening of jazz arrangements of Ukrainian folk music in the rhythm of love with the New York International Band, led by Yaacov Mayman (saxophone, flute) and Lesya Verba (voice and harp).
Watch the replay on our Facebook page.
Ukraine is My Native Land: A Concert of Ukrainian Folk Songs
Ukrainian musicians Gennadiy Vysotsky from Odessa and Inna Leytush from Kharkov performed traditional Ukrainian folk songs like "I Look in to the Sky," "Dear Mother," "Nightingale," "Oy Djigune, Djigune," "Moonlight Night," "Gandzya," and many more.
Watch the replay on our Facebook page.
Books, Authors, and News Resources from QPL
Books in English: Adult Fiction
Mother Country by Irina Reyn
I Will Die in a Foreign Land by Kalani Pickhart
Oksana, Behave! by Maria Kuznetsova
Also available in eBook and eAudio
Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
Also available in eBook and eAudio
Lucky Breaks by Yevgenia Belorusets
Books in English: Books for Children
Ukraine by Anastasiya Vasilyeva
Age range: 6-8
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship by Valerie Gobarchev
Age range: 6-8
The Birds' Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story by Eric Kimmel
Age range: 6-8
A Boy Is Not a Bird by Edeet Ravel
Age range: 9-12
Also available in eBook
Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Age range: 8-12
Also available in eBook
Books in Ukrainian: Adult Fiction
Тарас, повернення : роман
Author: Олександр Денисенко
Ось я : роман
Author: Jonathan Safran Foer
Один плюс один : роман
Author: Jojo Moyes (Translators: Дар'я Беззадіна, Олена Кіфенко, Дар'я Петрушенко)
Books in Ukrainian: Biography
Ататюрк: біографія мислителя
Author: Şükrü Hanioğlu
Translator: O. I. Halenko
Київські митрополити XVII-XVIII ст.
Authors: Ю. А. Мицик, I︠U︡. A. Myt︠s︡yk, Дмитрій Рудюк
Digital Resources
Newspapers in Ukrainian (QPL Login required)
Libraries in a Time of Crisis
Ukraine's libraries are offering bomb shelters, camouflage classes and, yes, books (NPR/Boise State Public Radio)
Learning About the Conflict
New York Times: Russia-Ukraine
CNN: What does Putin want in Ukraine? The Conflict Explained
BBC: Why has Russia invaded Ukraine and what does Putin want?
NPR: Ukraine Invasion - Explained
Video for Kids: NBC Nightly News Kids Edition - The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Explained
Where to Donate Supplies in Queens
The Office of the Queens Borough President is collecting medical supplies such as first-aid kits, bandages, gauze, tourniquets, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin. Donations can be dropped off at Queens Borough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. The donation area is a box located on the first floor of Borough Hall next to the security desk in the lobby, just inside the building’s main entrance on Queens Boulevard. The lobby is open 24 hours a day.
Resources for Ukrainian New Yorkers
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is offering legal assistance for immigrants, New York City services, and the address and phone number for the Ukrainian consulate. Available in English, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian.
New York State Stands with Ukraine: Resources for Ukrainians and How New Yorkers Can Help
Ukrainians fleeing war are picking up the pieces in New York City (Gothamist)
For many years, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)’s Immigrant Protection Unit has worked closely with New York’s community of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine. With an escalating humanitarian emergency following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, they have harnessed their language capacity, deep immigration knowledge, and partnerships with community-based organizations on the ground to serve Ukrainian nationals with urgent immigration needs.
For information in English, please visit https://nylag.org/ukrainian-immigrant-assistance-project/.
For more information, email Elvira Pinkhasova at EPinkhasova@nylag.org.
Local Ukrainian Businesses & Religious Institutions
Varenyk House
67-14 Fresh Pond Road
Ridgewood, NY 11385
(917) 909-0257
Ukrainian Borscht, and Support, at Varenyk House (The New Yorker)
Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church
31-12 30th Street
Astoria, NY 11106
Email: hcukicc@yahoo.com
St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church of Ozone Park
97-06 87th Street
Ozone Park, NY 11416
Email: StMaryUkrainianChurch@gmail.com
Aid Organizations and Resources
Uniting for Ukraine (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole.
Options for Nationals of Ukraine Seeking Asylum in the U.S. (Nolo Network)
The USA Information Center for Ukrainians offers practical information and resources for people coming to the United States from Ukraine.
Upwardly Global is offering FREE resources to Ukrainian newcomers, U.S. employers, and community sponsors to support the successful inclusion of Ukrainian professionals into the U.S. workforce.
The Ukraine Library Relief Fund (American Library Association) will assist in the eventual rebuilding of Ukrainian libraries that have been damaged or destroyed.
UNICEF supports health, nutrition, education, and protection for children and families caught in the conflict in Ukraine.
Voices of Children Foundation provides children affected by the war with psychological and psychosocial support.
Doctors Without Borders provides medical teams and emergency medical aid to people in crisis.
The UN Refugee Agency helps people fleeing violence and war find safe refuge.
Razom for Ukraine: Razom (which means “together” in Ukrainian) provides urgent help and support to Ukrainians.
United Help Ukraine provides medical aid and humanitarian relief to Ukrainians.
The International Rescue Committee supports displaced children and families with vital supplies.
International Medical Corps provides access to medical and mental health services for those affected by the war.
CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund provides immediate aid including food, water and hygiene kits.
Sunflower of Peace Foundation raises money to prepare supplies for paramedics and doctors on the front lines.
International Committee of the Red Cross provides emergency assistance such as food, water, and other essential items.
Save the Children provides children and families with immediate aid, such as food, water, hygiene kits, and psychosocial support.
Kidsave is helping rescue children and families in Ukraine and providing humanitarian aid.
