Windsor Public Library receives donation of Ukrainian book collection

Olef Nikolenko is the Consul General of Ukraine residing in Toronto. He was on hand for the dedication of the Ukrainian book donation on Sept. 12, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)

The City of Windsor welcomed a special guest at the John Muir branch of the Windsor Public Library Friday morning.

Oleh Nikolenko, Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto was on hand, along with library chief executive officer Jen Knights and city councillor Gary Kaschak, attending on behalf on Mayor Drew Dilkens.

On behalf of the Ukrainian government and citizens, the consul general unveiled the latest addition to the branch’s world languages section, a unique collection of 80-books about Ukrainian history, language, culture, people and traditions.

The donation is part of the “Ukrainian Bookshelf” initiative – launched in 2022 by Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, joining several other cities across Canada who are participating in this project of mutual support and goodwill between the countries.

The aim is to provide Ukrainians living in Windsor access to more books in the Ukrainian language and to maintain their connection to Ukraine itself.

“Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, unfortunately, millions of Ukrainians, have left Ukraine, I hope temporarily and found shelter in different countries including this country and including in this city,” said Nikolenko.

“And for this reason, we as a Ukrainian state, we are particularly interested to keep and maintain the connection of our people, with cultural history, literature.”

Windsor public library has books in languages from all over the globe, including thousands of picture books for young children in more than 90 languages, with English translations.