Novateca Global Libraries programme launched in Moldova's southern region

The governor of Gagauzia (an autonomous territorial unit in Moldova), Mihail Formuzal, on February 26 met the director of the Novateca Global Libraries programme, Evan Tracz. The programme is financed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Its representatives participated in the opening of a training centre within the public library of the town of Ceadir-Lunga.

According to the autonomous unit´s administration press service, Formuzal pointed out many issues faced by the libraries in the region, such as the need to significantly renew the book fund, to provide the libraries with up-to-date technical equipment and the lack of electronic books in the Gagauzian language.

At the same time, he said that a string of Gagauzian libraries needed repair works and best conditions for keeping books. «The library must be in line with the 21st century, it must develop and participate in grants and projects,» he said.

For his part, Evan Tracz thanked the administration of Gagauzia for cooperation. «No library will be able to work without a partner, without a good support. We want that the libraries from Gagauzia become institutions for developing the society,» Tracz said.

Formuzal also visited the Ceadir-Lunga - based library to make a donation of books and CDs, among which some rare collection copies.

Moldova is the 11th country accepted in the Novateca Global Libraries programme. Such countries like Chili, Mexico, Botswana, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria and Vietnam have already acquired a rich experience in the field and have managed to bring their libraries to another level of development. Presently, the programme is operating in 12 Moldovan districts.

Adapted from Moldpres