Librarians from “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library

visited the town of Niš, Serbia

A group of librarians from "Sava Dobroplodni" Regional Library visited the town of Niš from 21 to 23 November 2013. The visit was organized at the invitation of Dr. Nebojsa Krstic - Chairman of municipality "Mediana", Niš and Nebojsa Vasic - Director of "Stevan Sremats" National Library.

Sliven librarians visited "Stevan Sremats" National Library on November 21, where they got acquainted with the activities in the different departments of the library, visited the digital centre in the library and the exhibition "St. Cyril and Methodius and the Slavic medieval literary heritage", dedicated to 1150 anniversary of the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet, including more than 100 valuable manuscripts and books.

The hosts had prepared a rich cultural program for their colleagues from Sliven, including visits to the most important cultural attractions in Niš – the National Museum, the Niš Fortress, the Crafts Street, the Tower of Skulls, the concentration camp "Red Cross", the park near River Nišhava, many monuments associated with historical figures and events, Orthodox temples and churches.

The librarians from "Sava Dobroplodni" Regional Library were guests at the official opening of the jubilee 50th edition of the International Book Fair and graphics on November 22. The latest editions of over 70 leading Serbian publishers, and several publishers from abroad were presented in the sports hall "Cair". The director of the library Rositsa Petrova -Vasileva met Bojana Simovic - Director of Niš Cultural Center and organizer of the event and discussed the possibilities for the visit of Serbian children's publishing houses on the National Children's Book Festival in Sliven.

At the invitation of the Chairman of Mediana municipality - Dr. Nebojsa Krstic, Mrs. Rosica Petrova -Vasileva visited the municipality. In front of councilors and media Mr. Krstic welcomed Mrs. Rosica Petrova for the successful international initiatives and projects of "Sava Dobroplodni" Regional Library, expressed his satisfaction with the fruitful cooperation between Sliven Regional Library and the National Library in Niš and announced his intention to support the development of these relationships, and visit Sliven in May 2014 during the sixteenth edition of the National Children's Book Festival. Rosica Petrova presented the parameters of the cooperation between the two libraries, and the opportunities for cultural exchange and joint projects between the institutions in both cities.

The visit of Sliven librarians got wide media coverage. Rosica Petrova had a 15 - minute interview in the morning information block of TV "Belle amie" on November 22. During her visit to Mediana municipality she answered questions from various media, and an interview with her was broadcast in the evening information block of TV "Belle amie".

The visit of Sliven librarians in the town of Nišh gave them a confidence that they work according to high standards and for the successful automation of the main library and bibliographic processes, cultural initiatives and projects they are a model to follow for their colleagues not only in Bulgaria, but also from abroad.