This document discusses how public libraries can support education and lifelong learning. It outlines the mission of public libraries to provide equal access to knowledge and resources. Libraries aim to support both formal and informal education at all levels by providing materials, technology access, and collaborating with other institutions. Specific initiatives and programs described include support for youth, adults, disadvantaged groups and partnerships with educational and cultural organizations to enrich learning opportunities in the community.

1. DORA GABE DISTRICT LIBRARY, DOBRICH
GLOB@L LIBRARIES – BULGARIA PROGRAM
District Thematic Meeting
New Modern Library Services and Initiatives

2. Prepared by: Galya Marinova, Senior Librarian
Library, Bibliographic and Information
Services
Dora Gabe District Library, Dobrich

3. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
“The public library, the local gateway to knowledge,
provides a basic condition for lifelong learning,
independent decision-making and cultural development
of the individual and social groups.”
IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, 1994

4. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Public Library Mission
“It provides access to knowledge, information and works of the
imagination through a range of resources and services and is equally
available to all members of the community regardless of
race, nationality, age, gender, religion, language, disability, economic
and employment status and educational attainment.”
IFLA GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES
“Smart growth: building an economy based on knowledge and
innovation.”
EUROPE 2020
EUROPEAN COMMISSION COMMUNICATION
Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
Brussels, 3 March 2010

5. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
“Supporting individual, formal and informal education as
well as self-conducted education at all levels.”
IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, 1994

6. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Objectives of Public Libraries:
 support the successful graduation of formal education, informal
education and self-conducted education
 enable the acquisition of technical knowledge, skills and
competences needed at the amateur level in contemporary life and
new ICT context
 provide foreign language training, enhancement and improvement
 enable the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competences in the
area of arts

7. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Successful Education Conditions
Public libraries need to:
 provide a diversity of materials on various topics
 provide literacy maintenance materials
 provide free access to the Internet
 be a key source of materials for distance learners
 host learners having poor or no learning conditions at home

8. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Successful Education Conditions
Public libraries need to:
 collaborate with other education institutions in the provision of training
in effective usage of information resources
 complement official education institutions when having adequate
material conditions

9. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Groups of potential users
• People of all ages and at all life stages:
 children
 young people
 active age people
 elderly

10. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Groups of potential users
• Individuals and groups with special needs:
 people of various culture and ethnic backgrounds, including the
local population
 people with physical, visual or hearing disabilities
 institutionalized people, e.g. hospitalized, imprisoned
 people incognizant of library services

11. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Groups of potential users
• Institutions within the framework of wider public networks
 education, culture and volunteer community organizations and
groups
 business communities
 the management body of the superior organization, e.g. local
authorities

12. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Steps to implementing support to education and
lifelong learning:
1. Provide qualified specialists
2. Assess interests and needs of young people and adults in the
community
3. Conduct problem analysis of resource provision opportunities for
library activities
4. Conduct intensive promotion activities targeted at all potential
users
5. Conduct expert evaluation of developed work programs
6. Implement, coordinate, revise, control and evaluate
activities

13. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Types of activities:
 courses and interest clubs
 individual and group projects for school goers and adults
 celebrations; creative nights; art holidays; lectures;
competitions; meetings with famous artists
 exhibitions
 workshops
 information days

14. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Types of activities:
 module training in various areas
 presentations
 book premieres
 movies
 educational concerts
 provision of web-based services

16. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
EXPECTED RESULTS:
 Library transformed into a preferred territory
 Place for exhibiting interests and abilities
 Formal and informal education, culture and social activities enriched
 Pursuance of self-conducted education and self-improvement stimulated

17. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
EXPECTED RESULTS:
 Enhanced job placement opportunities
 Enhanced competitiveness
 Social integration
 Enhanced opportunities for cooperation with schools, culture, public,
non-governmental and private organizations
EU Reference
Framework of Key Strategy 2020
Competences

18. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Glob@l Libraries – Bulgaria Program
Joint initiative of the Ministry of Culture and the United Nations
Development Program
Goal – facilitate the access to information, knowledge,
communication, e-content and community services through the
public library network, support the integration of Bulgarian citizens
into the global information society

19. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Libraries support the Lifelong Learning Program of the European Commission
Work with the coordinating body in Bulgaria – the Human Resource Development
Center, Sofia
Support for HRDC and EC initiatives
Joint initiatives with Europe Direct, Dobrich
Generations@School Initiative of the
European Commission
2012 European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between
Generations

20. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Projects and Programs
Project ABLE “American – Bulgarian Library Exchange: Opportunities for
Cooperation. Development of Community Information Services” funded by the US
Department of State
Project “Health Risk Factors: Find the Answer @ Your Library”
Project “Access to Electronic Information for People with Disabilities in the Bulgarian
Libraries” of the Union of Library and Information Workers
CONNECTION – Cultural Organizations as Learning and Communication
Environments, Lifelong Learning Program, Grundtvig Activity
Project EuropeanaLocal Dobrudzha Digital Collection. Postcards and Photographs from
the first half of 20th century.

21. Projects and Programs
Program “Bulgarian Libraries: Modern Centers for Reading and Information”
(2011) of the Ministry of Culture for financial support to libraries, library stock
renovation with new titles and other modern information sources
Assistance for Retirement National Program (2008 – 2010)
National Program for Employment and Vocational Training of People with
Permanent Disabilities (2008 – 2012)
Human Resource Development Operational Program, “I Can” and “I Can Do
More” Program (2009 – 2012)
Human Resource Development Operational Program, Project “New Beginning –
from Education to Employment” (2011 – 2012)

22. Libraries in Support of Education and Lifelong Learning
Library Partners:
 Dobrich Municipality
 Dobrich District Governor’s Office
 All education institutions in Dobrich
 Labor Office Directorate, Dobrich
 Regional Public Health Inspectorate, Dobrich
 Regional Information Center, Dobrich
 Goethe Institut, Bulgaria
 Polish Culture Center, Sofia
 Vladislav Varnenchik Polish Culture and Education Society, Dobrich
 “Dobrudzha – Ukraine” Bulgarian – Ukrainian Society
 Russophiles Movement

23. Creating reading habits from early childhood, teaching love for books
and stimulating children’s creative potential

24. Stimulation of Children’s Creative Potential

25. Library in Support of Formal Education

26. Library in Support of Formal Education

27. Stimulation of School Goers’ Creative Potential

28. Library in Support of Informal Education

29. The Library – a Training Center

30. Thank you for your attention!
pr@libdobrich.bg