The national libraries can establish partnerships in different areas in order to become training centers besides being reading places. On this occasion, the first Fair of Library Partnerships entitled “We build bridges to development: Modern library” was staged in Chisinau. The event forms part of the national awareness-raising campaign “See you in the library!” that has been launched this September, IPN reports.
Novateca program director Evan Tracz said that during five years, with the assistance of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, the Ministry of Culture and local public authorities, hundreds of libraries have become education platforms. “With the development of modern technologies that meet a number of needs, the current libraries can provide more services. The public libraries revived and, being placed in the middle of communities, become centers of information and new opportunities,” stated Evan Tracz.
Minister of Culture Monica Babuc said that more than 850 public libraries joined the Novateca network to become modern institutions that provide high-quality services to their communities. The public libraries showed a real revolution and can serve as an example for libraries from other states.
U.S. Ambassador to Moldova James Pettit said that exploiting the possibilities offered by the modern technologies, the libraries can become a powerful platform for development and cooperation. The public libraries facilitate everyone’s access to ideas and information, regardless of the person’s status.
Jessica Dorr, vice director of the Global Libraries Program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said that during 10 years the Foundation has offered financial support to public libraries worldwide. “Moldova can serve as an example for libraries from all over the world. Globally, there are over 320,000 public libraries that help the people to improve their living conditions and the over 1,000 libraries of Moldova also help to build new bridges to community and to a better life,” stated Jessica Dorr.
The fair presented the most innovatory and popular services and initiatives launched by Moldova’s public libraries.
