Partnerships between the Library and Local Authorities in Rakitovo

PARTNERSHIP AND INTERACTION OF THE LIBRARY

AT BUDILNIK 1898 PUBLIC CHITALISHTE IN RAKITOVO

WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND NGOs

Prepared by: Maria Mirova-Dimova,

Chief Librarian

Administrator

The Library at Budilnik 1898 Public Chitalishte in Rakitovo

“Partnership is a form of cooperation between organizations sharing common areas of operations, common goals and joint activities.”

“No public library, regardless of its size and funds, can meet on its own all the needs of its users.” Its involvement in partnerships, cooperation and networks with other libraries and similar organizations and the provision of access to other sources of information enables the achievement of its goals.

As a modern, active, public, information, culture and educational community complex, the library is a necessary partner to local authorities.

The involvement of local library funding decision makers is a key priority of library activities. The interaction between them is a form of a mutually beneficial partnership.


KEY SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION RULES

Clarity on common activities in line with goals of respective organizations;

Accurate allocation of participants’ resources;

Clear-cut distribution of responsibilities;Elaboration of work plans and deadlines; Independence with regard to anything

happening outside the framework of joint activities.


Involvement of Budilnik Library in the first stage of the Glob@l Libraries – Bulgaria Program and

motivation of local authorities for support and cooperation

WHAT WE DID:Organization of a roundtable with library

partnersRoundtable with representatives of the Sutkya

public-benefit association, Future Roma Foundation, St. Nedelya Day Center for Elderly People, Culture Department and the Deputy Mayor of Rakitovo Municipality, teachers, library users.


Presentation to the chitalishte board of trustees of the program and the necessary renovation and preparation works in the premise where the ICT equipment is to be located.

Meetings and conversations with the Mayor of Rakitovo Municipality; talks with the Senior Accountant.


Identification of goals and deadlines, analysis of potential and resources

Once elaborated, the action plan can be modified in the process of work.

Coalition building Uniting the efforts of volunteers, the public,

library users, etc. for the common cause:


Moving departments and vacating the premise by librarians and temporarily employed workers

Installation of a hanging ceiling and new lighting by Rakitovo Municipality. Purchase of necessary furniture



Uniting the efforts of library and chitalishte staff, theater volunteers for finalizing the renovation works – door and window painting, cleaning and room refurbishment.

Electricity and internet networks installed by the Municipality.

Dialogue with partners and local authorities,

media outreach• Opening and consecration of the room hosting the ICT

equipment provided under the Glob@l Libraries Program attended by representatives of partner organizations.

• Media coverage in regional press, (recognized library partners throughout the years), the chitalishte’s website, the Municipality’s website.

• Promotional posters in the town’s most visible locations.



ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CHARITY FAIR Partners:

Library users, local authoritiesWHAT WE DID:

Formulation of a clear-cut goal on which the raised funds will be spent.

- In 2009, the raised funds were used for buying clothes for 10 children in need as per a list provided by the Child Protection Agency.- In 2010, the campaign was targeted at replenishing the library stock with the most popular and newly published literature.- In 2011, one of the Automated Library software modules – for book processing – was purchased.


• Meetings and conversations with readers and partners who demonstrate a supportive and positive attitude toward library cause and activities.

• Distribution of tasks among volunteers, according to their individual skills and personal engagement, for the production of thematic Christmas fair items.

• Convincing the chitalishte management on allocating funds for purchasing the necessary materials.


• Meeting with local authorities representatives – in the general case, the mayor or the deputy, for presenting the cause and soliciting their support.


• Media outreach – press releases or articles on forthcoming events are published in the local Tempo newspaper, the Municipality’s website, the chitalishte’s website, and broadcast on Rakitovo local radio station; promotion brochures are printed out and posters are displayed in the town’s most visited locations.

• The fair is traditionally hosted in the municipal ritual hall, with the support of the Mayor.


Library participation in the local initiative group for preparation of the Terra Bessica territory for competitive territorial development through the implementation of the Leader approach.

• Responding to the interests and receiving the support of civil groups and local community organizations is instrumental for the sustainable development of the

library. Therefore, the library, when invited, takes part in various partnerships.


The goal of our library is to constantly increase the number of library service users.

- One of the strategies we utilize is going out of the library building and participating in cultural events of wide public popularity.

2012 Easter bazaar exhibition organized jointly with Rakitovo Municipality

As a result of the partnership established with local authorities and the library image among the public, the conducted meetings and talks with the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor of Rakitovo Municipality proved effective.

• On 1 April 2012, two modules of the Automated Library software were purchased with municipal funds: Classifiers. Service Functions; and Reader Services.


The library – partner to local authorities in the establishment of an initiative committee for the

100th anniversary of the Balkan War

• Initiative committee members were divided in a number of work committees, in two of which the library had a leading role.



CONCLUSIONS BASED ON OUR PRACTICE:

• The establishment of partnerships is crucial to library development and the accomplishment of library goals.• Both success and failure result in accumulation of experience and facilitate the implementation of future joint projects.• The relationship between the library and local authorities is instrumental for its development and the financial and resource security of library activities. Therefore, we always demonstrate our support for local government. • Another key factor is the public image we have built in the eyes of the public, local authorities and politicians.

http://www.chitalishte-rakitovo.org/Rakitovo4 A. Stamboliyski St.

http://www.chitalishte-rakitovo.org/

Partnerships between the Library and Local Authorities in Rakitovo

Education

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