Heritage Bookshelf
Heritage Bookshelf is the first Ukrainian community library in South East London. We believe that books are more than just stories—they are a bridge to heritage, identity, and belonging.
Heritage Bookshelf is created for resettled Ukrainians. It’s a space to connect and celebrate Ukrainian heritage. Our collection includes children’s books, fiction, history, and cultural literature—helping people stay close to their language and roots.
more than 300
books for adults, teens and children
70
library members
How to borrow books from Heritage Bookshelf?
To borrow a book, first register as a library member (free of charge), then choose a book from our catalogue.
Visit our library at HMS Thalia Office, Clockhouse Community Centre, Defiance Walk, London, SE18 5QL, during our opening hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:00. If you need to visit outside these hours, one of our volunteers can assist you by prior arrangement.
You can borrow up to 2 books for 2 weeks with a £20 cash deposit per book (refundable). Late returns incur a 10p per day fee.
We now have more than 300 books, and we are expanding it.
More than 100 books for adults
A wide selection of genres, including fiction, business, psychology, fantasy, and both contemporary and classic literature by Ukrainian and international authors.
More than 150 books for kids and teens
A diverse collection of fairy tales, short stories, educational books, and both modern and classic literature by Ukrainian and international authors.
Become a library member! It`s free.
Become a Heritage Bookshelf Library member today! It’s completely free and only takes 1–3 minutes to fill out the form. Once registered, you’ll be able to borrow books from the library, access the full catalogue, join the readers’ community chat, and receive invitations to exclusive members-only events.
Our goal is to preserve and share Ukrainian literature, foster a love for reading, and bring people together through books, discussions, and special events.
Heritage Bookshelf was created to provide resettled Ukrainians in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and nearby areas with access to books in their native language.
Our library offers a diverse collection for all ages, from children's picture books to adult fiction and cultural literature, creating a space where people can stay connected to Ukrainian language, heritage, and storytelling. Our collection includes most of the books from the Ukrainian school curriculum so children and teenagers can borrow them for their studies, as well as many popular new releases alongside classic Ukrainian literature.
Our library is built to preserve culture, support learning, and create a sense of belonging for the community.
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Are you an author or would you like to donate your book?
We would be truly grateful that you donate your book to the library — several authors have already shared their works for our community to enjoy. We also warmly welcome donations of Ukrainian books in good condition that you no longer need, so they can become part of our library and be accessible for everyone in the community to read.
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Support our project
Help us grow and keep Heritage Bookshelf thriving! You can volunteer to support our library and events, donate books to give them a second life, or donate to help develop the library, expand our collection, and create more cultural opportunities. Your support makes a lasting impact!
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Library Events
Heritage Bookshelf is a safe space for cultural connection, where book lovers come together to explore literature, share stories, and engage in meaningful discussions. Join us for special events and reading clubs designed to celebrate Ukrainian and international literature while fostering community and connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at info@nascic.org.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
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Simply register using this form - https://forms.gle/PN6JoT6avCoZQXfXA. Once your registration is confirmed, you'll receive details on how to access our library and start borrowing books!
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FREE! You can borrow up to 2 books for 2 weeks. A £20 refundable cash deposit per book is required. Late returns incur a 10p per day fee.
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Our library is at HMS Thalia Office, Clockhouse Community Centre, Defiance Walk, London, SE18 5QL. It is the office of New Arrivals Support CIC—you’ll see our poster on the door!
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We’re open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00.
If you need access outside these hours, one of our volunteers can welcome you by prior arrangement through our WhatsApp library community chat (you’ll be added after registration).
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You can browse our available books in the library catalogue on our website.
Or here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HpPHzxkTvsfkHTdhgQSSCWKEZFJIMPT9T-4340kFdMg/edit?usp=sharing
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Yes! We gladly welcome any donations of Ukrainian books. Your contributions help expand our collection and support the community.
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You can support our library by donating books to help expand our collection, volunteering to assist with library activities and events, or spreading the word so more Ukrainians can find and benefit from our resources. Every donation also makes a difference in keeping the library open and accessible to the community. Donate via link - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-heritage-bookshelf