Partnering for Community Change

What is IREX?  IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development in more than 100 countries. IREX oversees Global Libraries programs in Romania, Ukraine and Moldova

What is Biblionet? Biblionet is a six-year, 26.9 million dollar project implemented by IREX with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Equip more than 2,300 Romanian public libraries with technology so citizens have better access to information. Train over 3,000 librarians in how to use new technology to provide better services to library visitors, and develop new library services and advocacy skills. Establish 41 new training centers for librarians across the country. Assist the capacity of the National Association of Public Libraries and Librarians (ANBPR) to advocate on behalf of libraries Foster government and private sector support for the recognition of the essential role of libraries in a modern society. Afford citizens e-government services that they would otherwise be unable to access.

Where we started

Romania’s library heritage In 2008: the average age of collections 43 years

Romania’s library heritage In 2008: only 10 per cent of the population visited public libraries

Continuous challenges

CHALLENGES Financial squeeze Source:

CHALLENGES Low capacity of librarians Source:

CHALLENGES Lack of experience with developing partnerships Source:

CHALLENGES Impact or “the big picture” Source:

Digital divide = Development divide Source:

Biblionet is a six-year, 26.9 million dollar project implemented by IREX with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Equip more than 2,300 Romanian public libraries with technology so citizens have better access to information. Train over 3,000 librarians in how to use new technology to provide better services to library visitors, and develop new library services and advocacy skills. Establish 41 new training centers for librarians across the country. Assist the capacity of the National Association of Public Libraries and Librarians (ANBPR) to advocate on behalf of libraries Foster government support for the recognition of the essential role of libraries in a modern society. Afford citizens e-government services that they would otherwise be unable to access. Internet use at home

Libraries as a partner for development Source:

How can libraries contribute?

Low cohesion funding absorption rates As of January, 2013, Romania absorbed only 14 % of the total funds allocated by the EU Public libraries access EU funding Public Libraries as a point of access for the broader community

Youth unemployment at 22 % No coherent national policy to combat the problem. Libraries take the lead, over the past 12 months: – 78,000 Romanians sought job seeking assistance – 28,500 applied for employment – 9,000 successfully secured a job Increasing unemployment

Over a three-year period: Over 90,000 farmers Received approximately 115 million Euros 200,000 working days saved Agricultural workers save 1,000,000 Euros in transportation and gasoline. Access to online farm subsidies

Financial literacy In 2013 through a partnership with Visa Europe: 980 public libraries participated 10,300 adult Romanians trained In 2014: 2000 libraries to participate

Telemedicine In 2013 through a partnership with GE: Pilot program in two counties 50 doctors trained to operate new EKG hardware

Human Interest

Human Interest Digital storytelling

Human Interest Mommy loves you

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