Libraries - Bulgaria – Program Focus “New Services in the Modern Library” work meeting Sofia, 18 – 19 April 2011

Baseline impact assessment study – December 2010

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The library is an old-fashioned, unpopular and boring place (60% of young people aged 11-18) Libraries are not popular as access points to the global network No connection is made between “library” and “computer/Internet” People use mostly traditional library services There is a lack of acknowledged necessity for using the services The share of book readers among children and young people is 7% in the age group 8-10 and barely 2% in the age group

High satisfaction with services used in libraries Visiting a library is prestigious Stable positive image of the librarian Positive attitudes also among people who have never visited a library 60% of the children and young people would enroll in training organized by the library 40% of the major population would enroll in free ICT training organized by the library 7

8 The library’s contemporary mission is to connect people and ideas, discover new opportunities and enrich the lives of local communities.

Libraries – Bulgaria Program – strategic objective To provide equal access to information, communication, learning, knowledge and electronic services in public libraries To aid the inclusion of Bulgarian citizens into the global information space, increase their quality of life and enforce the development of civil society through free usage of Internet and ICT

Results achieved – 15 April libraries are included in the program: Stage libraries in 234 municipalities Stage libraries in 196 municipalities In 455 libraries (Stage 2009) – delivered and installed computers and peripherals For the period 7 March – 31 March librarians in 11 districts are trained in ICT skills Stage 2011 – 446 applications submitted by libraries in 166 municipalities all over the country 10

Upcoming main activities by the end of By the end of May 2011Selection of Stage 2011 target libraries April – June 2011Delivery and installation of computers and peripherals in 352 libraries under Stage 2010 April – July 2011Thematic trainings of trainers in Areas 2, 3 and 4 By the end of July librarians trained in ICT June – July librarians trained in Areas 2, 3 and 4 By the end of December 2011Regional work meetings for librarians, chitalishte secretaries / boards, local NGO and local authorities on the subjects of partnerships, projects, innovative practices, cooperation with the business, etc. April – December 2011Work meetings with librarians on subjects related to the development and future of public libraries

Program focus – 2011 Encouraging the development of local communities by:  Creation of new partnerships between the libraries, NGO, local business, educational institutions, media  Exchange of experience between libraries – online: through the program portal forum and social networks  Support for libraries in organizing programs and events for the community  Identification and proposal of new library services for patrons  Public council  Working with volunteers 12

New library services: possibilities Baseline impact assessment study – December 2010

New library services: possibilities Baseline impact assessment study – December 2010

District library, Vratsa 15 New services in the library School break in the library, Nova Cherna

Bisertsi village, Razgrad district 16 Haskovo Balchik New services in the library

17 Sopot, Plovdiv district New services in the library Nova Cherna village, Silistra district

18 The 80-year-old Bekir Ibryamov from Stremtsi village, Kardzhali district Chitalishte library in Byala village, Ruse district New services in the library

Anticipated results  Change of the public attitude towards the library  Restoration of the public significance of libraries as centers for information and communication for local communities  Activation of public and institutional support for public libraries 19

Questions and answers 20