NINE LIBRARIES FROM SLIVEN REGION HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO TAKE PART IN THE SECOND PHASE (Stage 2010) OF „GLOB@L LIBRARIES - BULGARIA” PROGRAM

The final list of libraries selected for taking part  in the second phase of Glob@l Libraries – Bulgaria program - Stage 2010 was officially proclaimed on September 21, 2010 by the Project Managerial board, including representatives of the key partners: Ministry of Culture, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and BLIA.

Nine libraries have been approved for the second stage of the program from Sliven region: from Sliven Municipality - libraries in the community centers in Blatets village, Mechkarevo village, Gavrailovo village and Novachevo village; from Nova Zagora Municipality - libraries in the community centers in Lyubenova mahala village, Sabrano village and Elenovo village; in the Municipality of Kotel - the library in the community centre in Ticha village; in Tvarditsa Municipality - the library in the community centre in Orizari village.

For inclusion in the second phase (Stage 2010) of Glob@l Libraries – Bulgaria program approved 352 public libraries from 195 communities. The program aims to promote the modernization of libraries throughout the country, in order to support the inclusion of Bulgarian citizens in the global information society. Libraries-partners will gain access to Internet, computer equipment and peripheral equipment for use by visitors and training for their employees. Libraries are expected to extend the range of their services, to become more attractive for people and start playing more significant role in the development of local communities.

The selection of libraries for Stage 2010 is based on a system of indicators related to the libraries' activities, as well as on demographic and socio-economic factors. Guiding principles for the selection of libraries are the striving to include maximum number of libraries and to cover various types of settlements while achieving equitable geographical coverage, to find a balance between the number of users of libraries' services - on the one hand and the needs of smaller towns - by another.

Applications by 740 libraries from 214 municipalities were submitted for Stage 2010. Applications were submitted by the municipalities by which local authorities have expressed their long-term commitment to the aims of Glob@l Libraries – Bulgaria program.

The total budget of Glob@l Libraries - Bulgaria program is U.S. $ 50 million, which  includes U.S. $ 15 million grant by Bill and Melinda Gates' Foundation, software donation for U.S. $ 6 million by Microsoft, and matching funding worth U.S. $ 29 million from the central and local budgets in Bulgaria. During the three phases of the project  it is planned that the total number of 900 public libraries will obtain IT equipment for their users and 3000 employees of those 900 and other 700 libraries surveyed in the preliminary stage of the project to undergo comprehensive training program in the period from 2010 to 2012.

The final the third stage for completing the total number of 900 libraries will be in 2011.