LOCAL AUTHORITIES: A LIBRARY SECTOR PARTNER

IN PAZARDZHIK MUNICIPALITY

Key Partnerships:

Glob@l Libraries – Bulgaria Program

Nikola Furnadzhiev District Library

Chitalishte libraries from Pazardzhik district

1. Through the Glob@l Libraries – Bulgaria Program, chitalishte libraries transform into modern centers of communication and information quality improvement in small settlements of the municipality.

2. Nikola Furnadzhiev District Library and Pazardzhik Municipality

 Pazardzhik Municipality and Nikola Furnadzhiev DL are

successful partners in the implementation of various initiatives and projects. The municipality and the library are also partners in the first of its kind Festival of Innovative Culture Events funded by the Regional Development Operational Program. Project partners of the municipality include the Regional Museum of History, the Youth House, the Gallery of Arts, NGOs, private galleries and associations active in the area of arts.

 

Joint projects: Summer reading room Presentation of books Participation in the Book Days Concerts Theatre performances   

 3. Partnerships with Chitalishte Libraries from Pazardzhik Municipality There are 35 chitalishte in Pazardzhik municipality, 34 of

which have their libraries. Library activities are key activities for most of the chitalishte in the municipality.

With the support of Pazardzhik Municipality under Stage 2011 of the Glob@l Libraries – Bulgaria Program, memoranda of understanding were signed between Pazardzhik Municipality, the Ministry of Culture, the United Nations Development Program and the following chitalishte/libraries located in villages within the municipality: Probuda 1926 Public Chitalishte, Saraya; Otets Paisii 1933 Public Chitalishte, Hadzhievo; and Nova Mladezh 1927 Public Chitalishte, Gelemenovo.

Full computer and software equipment was provided at the first stage of the program funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to eight libraries located in the villages of Bratanitsa, Velichkovo, Malo Konare, Patalenitsa, Chernogorovo, Mokrishte, Ognyanovo; and to Nikola Furnadzhiev District Library in Pazardzhik.

The partnership between the libraries and the local authorities in Pazardzhik

municipality is based on the following principles:

1. Preservation of cultural and historical heritage and national traditions  Chitalishte libraries preserve rich literary sources of information about our cultural

and historical heritage and national traditions. They organize initiatives for preservation, development and promotion of local traditions and customs.

  2. Development and implementation of local development initiatives (projects) and

funding project activities  Many chitalishte libraries (Nikola Furnadzhiev DL, Nikola Vaptsarov Public

Chitalishte, etc.) have literature clubs working with various age groups.     3. Expansion of the content and social scope of chitalishte activities to attract a

wider range of population   Chitalishte libraries are communication centers in the respective settlements. In 2011, Pazardzhik Municipality, in partnership with Nikola Furnadzhiev DL,

implemented the Movies in the Library program. Bulgarian and world classic movies from the film store of the District Library were shown in chitalishte libraries in 29 villages in the municipality.

 

4. Beneficial cooperation between chitalishte on the territory of Pazardzhik municipality, the region and across the country facilitated by library initiatives.

  Pazardzhik Municipality organizes a monthly work meeting of librarians

from chitalishte libraries to discuss and solve current issues, provide methodological assistance, exchange ideas. These meetings present information about regional, national and international initiatives in which chitalishte libraries and their users can participate.

  5. Active mutual benefit partnership with municipal administration, NGOs

and other culture and business institutions   Mutual exchange of opportunities for resolution of various cases related to

the organization of events, renovation activities, provision of equipment, etc.

  6. Renovation of the library stock under the program of Pazardzhik

Municipality for publishing books by local authors   Since 2009, Pazardzhik Municipality has been implementing the program

for publishing books by local authors. Libraries across the municipality receive one copy of the published literary production. One of the most valuable publications provided to the library stocks is “Encyclopedia Pazardzhik”.

7. Extension of the culture calendar of chitalishte events   8. Participation in events from the culture calendar of Pazardzhik

Municipality  Chitalishte libraries frequently host presentations of book by local

and national authors.  9. In 2011, chitalishte activities were co-financed (including

activities directly targeted at libraries) totaling BGN 22,729  10. Ongoing chitalishte building renovations took place in the

villages of Gelemenovo (totaling BGN 30,843) and Rosen (BGN 14,122)

11. In 2011, target funds for capital expenditure totaling BGN

140,854 were disbursed for the construction of a chitalishte building in the village of Yunatsite envisaging a modern equipped library

   Pazardzhik Municipality is a popular partner and always supports

good initiatives and practices implemented by chitalishte and their libraries.

    

Thank you for your attention!