The practices of the Chitalishte Library

in Zlatograd

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Bulgaria’s southernmost city;

The birthplace of DelyoVoivode;

One of the 100 national tourist sites – a living architectural reserve;

The biggest sanctuary dedicated to the Sun God;

The oldest church in Mid Rhodope Mountains.

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Glob@l Libraries: Why in Zlatograd?

The oldest written monument of the Rhodope Revival was created here;

More than 120 architectural and archeological monuments of culture;

The only museum of communications in Bulgaria;

Chitalishte with traditions of more than 100 years.

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Glob@l Libraries in Zlatogradbecause: (2) librarians are strongly motivated;

local authorities are open to projects;

citizens stimulate local initiatives;

program opportunities allow for it;

i.e. a PARTNERSHIP has “ripened”.

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In 1924, the library organized two courses in a local café:

The first one in the popular at the time Esperanto international language, attended by 35 people for six months;

The second one in bookkeeping, attended by 15 participants for three months and conducted by a Bulgarian National Bank accountant.

(chitalishte history)

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OUR CHITALISHTE– the evolution

1934 2012

The buildings of Prosveta 1908 Public Chitalishte

in Zlatograd 6

OUR CHITALISHTE –the content

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THE LIBRARY(prior to becoming a glob@l library)

1920• Establishment of a reading room and a

library

1931• Provision of newspapers and magazines –

26 titles

1952

• The librarian undergoes training

• Adoption of a new decimal classification

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OUR LIBRARY in numbers

(prior to becoming a glob@l library)

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0

5000

10000

15000

20000

1948 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 2011

Налични книги посетители Прочетени книги

OUR LIBRARY in pictures

Summer reading

Methods for increasing the number of unique users:

• book delivery to readers, especially to children;

• posting the list of newly purchased books in a visible location;

• radio lecture “The Meaning of Progressive Books”.

1956

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OUR LIBRARY in pictures

Thematic book exhibition

Methods for increasing the number of unique users:

• constant renovation of library stock;

• periodicals;

• thematic exhibitions;

• meetings with authors.

2000

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OUR LIBRARY in pictures

Library Information Center

Glob@l for 1 year:

Modern equipment;

Access to the internet and content;

Trained library staff;

Wide range of services.

2011

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OUR LIBRARY

in…2022?...

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Matter of our dreams

Product of our deeds

What has changed withGLOB@L LIBRARIES?

Not only the building and equipment,

… but also the atmosphere and

content.

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OUR GLOBAL LIBRARY:

Is not just about the numbers of

readers and borrowed books,

…but also about a change in community

life.

Is not just about visitors,

…but about true PARTNERSHIPS.

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PARTNERS: TRUE FRIENDS ANDSEARCHING READERS

Forum theater - a youth initiative within the “Let’s Break Stereotypes Together” campaign, in partnership with the chitalishte library in Zlatograd

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PARTNERS: TRUE FRIENDS ANDSEARCHING READERS

With our friends from Zora Day Center and the Center for Public Support

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Our Partners:

Amateur art groups:

Active readers;

Artistic meetings;

Book presentations.

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Glob@l Library Partners:

Computer training participants 60+

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Glob@l Library Partners:

Vocational training centers and external training organizations

Entrepreneurship courses;

- Environmentalists;

- Road construction;

- Hairdressing, etc.

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More Library Partners:

Fiut

Egmont BG

Anubis

Bulvest 200022

And those who can always be our partners and yet we often overlook:

The other chitalishte/district libraries

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To overcome a problem of significance for us and the community;

To diversify the provided services and areas of operations;

To modify the image and the atmosphere;

To share expenditures and common resources;

For communication, control;

For additional support;

For the “fashionable” sustainability.

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Resource center for unemployed people;

Access to e-government services and the information center in general;

The book “100 Years Prosveta Chitalishte in Zlatograd”;

Celebration of the World Book and Copyright Day.

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Partnership Initiatives

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Partnership Initiatives

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Participation of amateur performers in library events

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Not just about building and equipment,

but also about content, atmosphere and

traditionsthat change our everyday lives.

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Let’s share a moment of partnership

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Instead of a conclusion –the role of partnership:

Arguments from 1940 for the preservation of the chitalishte in Zlatograd: “The chitalishte and the library are a living

monument of intrinsic agreement and tolerance… The chitalishte and the library are conducive to

the elimination of personal selfishness. The chitalishte channels a spirit of close

friendship, natural activities and a parched thirst for knowledge.”

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Motives (2) from 1940 for the preservation of the chitalishte in Zlatograd (continued):

“It excites citizens’ interest in reading. It is a center of spiritual life aiming to expand the

acquired literacy. The chitalishte is and will be the center of every cultural

and public initiative, a temple of Bulgarian thought and word, and a material expression of Bulgarian spiritual might.”

70 years later, this sounds topical and feasible

through the Global Libraries.

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Prepared by:Plamen Chingarov,

Zorka HadzhievaPhone: 0307 14207

0894 744964

Library atProsveta 1908 Public Chitalishte, Zlatograd

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