New ‘Ukrainian Book Corner’ created at Steinbach’s Jake Epp Library

It’s been the long-time dream of a local Ukrainian immigrant to bring printed stories from her home country to her new friends and loved ones in Steinbach.  

Daryna Malyukh shares how the idea of adding Ukrainian books to the Jake Epp Public Library came about,  

“It's a long story, but I'm very excited. First, thank you, Chrystie (Director at the Jake Epp Library), for allowing us to come here."

Malyukh continues, "we're living in times where there has been a war in Ukraine for almost a year, and there are so many families that are moving around the world and they love to read and it's "I love to read" month in Canada, so, I thought this would be a nice idea to talk about Ukrainian books. I had this dream in my heart to collect some books, it doesn't matter kids or adults, for Ukrainians to read, so they can read their books, you know, share their own language. And doing this is very popular in other countries in the world, so we are not the first ones, but we're the first ones here in Steinbach to create a place in this library to find books in Ukrainian.” 

Malyukh notes that the Ukrainian community in the area has now grown to more than 130 families. “Ukrainians love to read, and we struggle to find books. So, I came up with the idea that we should create a corner here at the library where we can collect books and where people can donate Ukrainian books that are written in the Ukrainian language and then we will go from there. My dream was to call it the "Ukrainian Book Corner" and for that, we need to have books. So, I'm encouraging each and every one of the Ukrainian families who have lived here for years to donate their books, so other people can use them.”

Daryna holding her daughter's favorite princess book. 

Malyukh made the first donation to the book collection box with a beautifully illustrated book from her 10-year-old daughter's bookshelf. 

"I'm holding one of my daughter's favorite books, titled The Best Fairy Tales about Princesses. It was a struggle for my daughter to donate this book, but she said, "Mom, I will give it away, even though I love it very much and it's all about princesses. So, let's do it."  Malyukh says, "we bought the book 4 years ago, and has only been read a few times, so it's still in very good condition. But now it's time to pass it along." 

Chrystie Kroeker-Boggs, Director at the Jake Epp Public Library in Steinbach, didn’t hesitate to answer Malyukh, when asked if she could drop off Ukrainian books, her response?  Y.E.S.!

"Yeah, we have noticed an influx of newcomers to both the library and of course, our community and we believe in reading. So, let's get books into hands, however way, shape, and form we can do that.” 

Kroeker-Boggs says anyone is welcome to swing by the Jake Epp library during office hours. “When you come in, you can talk to somebody at the circulation desk inside the library or just drop it off. The box will be on the far side of the circulation desk, it's a very visible box. And if you have any other questions, you can certainly ask any of our library staff.”

The Ukrainian book donation box inside the Jake Epp Library

She notes the box will have signs on the front in both Ukrainian and English.  

Then for individuals wishing to purchase books to donate, Kroeker-Boggs says they prefer if you buy the books and donate them, however, if you are not sure which books to buy, contact the library and talk to Chrystie or Daryna, before dropping off your monetary donation.  

Malyukh agrees. “Books are expensive, and you need to browse a lot, but there are so many nice books. Ukraine is also starting to translate foreign books and kids love them.” 

She also suggests there may be families in the southeast with Ukrainian books on their grandparents' or great-grandparents' books shelves, and with those, you are invited to donate those books and write a special dedication to your loved one inside the front cover. 

Kroeker-Boggs says they won’t put any books on the shelf until Daryna has confirmed that it’s a good book for the Library and that in fact it is written in the Ukrainian language. 

The library will leave the Ukrainian book donation box available for anyone to drop off books, for as long as donations keep coming in.  

As a public library serving not only Steinbach residents but anyone living in the southeast, Kroeker-Boggs says, individuals who want to take out one of these newly donated Ukrainian books will need to get a library card. 

“If you live in Steinbach, then just come on by with your ID that shows your address and you can get a free card. If you live outside of Steinbach, there is a cost associated with it, but the same thing, anyone is welcome to be a member. And if you're a member of the library, you also have access to all of our electronic resources, and there are Ukrainian books available electronically as well.” 

For Daryna Malyukh, creating this library has been a dream of hers for a long time, and without the encouragement from her new friends at the Ukrainian Settlement Task Force she may not have done this.

Daryna and Jake Epp Library staff with Ukrainian Book Donation Box