Final list of libraries that are shortlisted for including

in first phase of the program Glob @l libraries - Bulgaria.

On  November 5, 2009 officially was announced the final list of libraries that are shortlisted for including in first phaseof the program Glob @l libraries - Bulgaria.

Fifteen libraries have been approved: from Municipality of Sliven – ‘Sava Dobroplodni’ Regional Library - training base on the program, the library of Zora community center and the libraries at the community centres in the town of Kermen, village of Bjala, Krushare village and Staro selo village; from municipality of Nova Zagora - the library in "D.P. Sivkov" community centre /Nova Zagora/ and the libraries at the community centers in Banya village, and Asenovets village; from Kotel Municipality - Public Library P. Mateev - Kotel, and the libraries at the community centers in Streltsi village and Kipilovo village; from Tvarditsa Municipality – the libraries at the community centers in the town ofTvarditsa - Kozarevo quarter, the town of Shivachevo and Sborishte village.

To participate in the first stage of the project were approved 455 public libraries in 234 municipalities of the country. The program aims to promote the modernization of libraries throughout the country to help the integration of Bulgarian citizens in the global information society. Partner libraries will have access to the Internet, computer equipment and peripheral equipment for use by visitors and training for their employees. Libraries are expected to extend the services, to become more attractive for people and to play a significant role in the development of local communities.

In selecting the target libraries the principle of balanced geographical coverage was followed. Key criteria are also included in the largest possible number of libraries, a balance between striving for a greater number of people served and the needs of smaller settlements, and the presence of commitment and financial contribution by the municipal authorities. 314 of the proposed libraries are located in places with a population under 5000 inhabitants.

The target libraries are selected after an assessment of the performance of their main activities and their work with the community in recent years. The results of the assessment were reviewed by independent experts, the Management Unit of the program, the 28 regional coordinators of the program and representatives of key partners: Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology; BBIA; National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria and UNDP.

840 libraries of 245 municipalities applied for inclusion in the Ist stage of the program. Proposals were submitted in cooperation with the municipalities in which local government declares a long term commitment to the program.

The total budget of the program "Glob @l libraries - Bulgaria is 50 million U.S. $, which includes 15 million U.S. $  grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates' Foundation, donation of software which was valued U.S. $ 6 million by Microsoft and match financing for 29 million U.S. $ by the central and local budgets in Bulgaria. During the three phases of the project is planned 900 public libraries totally to obtain IT equipment for the visitors, and 3000 employees of those 900 libraries and other 700 libraries surveyed in the preliminary stage of the project to undergo comprehensive training program in the period 2010-2012. The program will include libraries in advocacy activities, public relations and fundraising, announcement of the new services for visitors and networking.

Recruitment of applications from libraries and municipalities for inclusion in the second phase of the program (Stage 2010) will begin in February 2010.

R. Petrova - Vasileva – regional coordinator of program „Global libraries - Bulgaria” for Sliven region