On 9 December this year, within the premises of the National Library of Moldova, was held the Fair of Partners of Libraries “We create Bridges to Development: Modern Library”. The event was organized as a platform for dialogue, socialization and establishment of new partnerships between libraries and local and central authorities, public and private sector, international organizations and NGOs.

During the meeting were presented the most innovative and popular services and initiatives launched by public libraries of the Republic of Moldova, partners of the Novateca Program.

The event was attended by Minister of Culture of the Republic of Moldova Monica Babuc, US Ambassador to Moldova James D. Pettit, Deputy Director of the Global Libraries Program, Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation Jessica Dorr, Director of the Novateca Program Evan Tracz.

The event is part of the national campaign to raise awareness of public libraries “See You in the Library!”, launched in September 2016 and aims to inform citizens about the opportunities offered by public libraries in the country, which have become vital institutions for the development of communities in Moldova. Thus, amongst the participants were also the “Akord” Band, ambassadors of the national campaign to raise awareness of public libraries “See You in the Library!”

State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) was present at the event with an information stand by which were promoted the publications in the field of intellectual property and the project conducted by AGEPI to support IREX Moldova and the Association of Librarians of the Republic of Moldova on creation in public partner libraries of the Novateca Project of information centers in the field of IP.

Present at the event, Svetlana Munteanu, Counselor of the AGEPI Director General mentioned for the press the attention of AGEPI focused on training librarians in the IP field in order that they may become ambassadors in the territory and about the objectives of said project, namely: training/education of librarians in the IP field, free endowment of libraries with publications in this field, presentation of tools to use national and international databases in the field, and in particular the development of new library services in the IP field locally and regionally. We should note that the first phase of this project took place in 2014 and included 16 public libraries in the territory and 660 trained librarians, while the second stage takes place in the period 2016-2017.

Also, in this event, AGEPI has conducted activities to promote geographical indications protected in the Republic of Moldova, organizing also the tasting of these products by the participants.

The Novateca Program is a program lasting five years, implemented by the organization IREX Moldova, with support from the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Culture and aims to transform 1,000 public libraries of the Republic of Moldova into vibrant and full of life community centers, where Moldovan citizens will benefit from free access to modern technology and library services proper for their local needs under the guidance of well-trained librarians and other community partners. The Program endows public libraries with advanced information technologies and train librarians in using computers and developing leadership skills.

Details at: http://mc.gov.md/ro/content/targul-partenerilor-bibliotecilor-cream-punti-spre-dezvoltare-biblioteca-moderna.