At the end of November, library specialists from the Petko R. Slaveykov Regional Library in Veliko Tarnovo visited the City Library in Zadar, Croatia, as part of the Erasmus+ program. The main purpose of the visit was to learn about the organization and activities of the public library in Zadar, exchange professional experience, compare good practices, and generate ideas for future initiatives to be implemented in the work of the Veliko Tarnovo library.
The group represented various departments of the institution – an IT department employee with experience in project design and implementation, a librarian from the Service Department, a representative of the "Snezhana Yaneva" Department for Secondary School Students and Adult Readers, and a specialist from the Collections, Processing, and Cataloguing Department. As a result of the exchange, valuable professional contacts were established with the prospect of future participation in the National Scientific Conference "Libraries – Reading – Communications."
Day One: Presentation of the library's structure and services
On the first day of the visit, the guests were welcomed by Mladen Masar, PR of the City Library in Zadar, who coordinated the meetings. The tour started at the Lending Library, where historical facts about the institution, the central building, the branches, and the shared spaces were presented.
The library specialists were introduced to the collections, reading rooms, Youth Center, and reader service program. The reader card, whose design has not changed for more than 26 years, aroused interest. Two self-service machines were also demonstrated.
The well-organized courtyard space with places for relaxation, the digital billboard with information about upcoming events, and the bicycle areas, which meet the needs of the city's numerous cyclists, made a big impression. The library's restaurant, which has a stage and is often used for outdoor events, also attracted attention.
In the Collections, Processing, and Cataloging Department, guests learned about the processes of acquiring, processing, and displaying literature. The library is not a depository library, but builds its collection through purchases.
Specialized departments and innovations
The delegation visited the Children's Department, one of the most visited areas, as well as the Music Department, which is one of the library's distinctive features. Its rich collection of records, films, CDs, and the opportunity to create and perform music left a strong impression.
The guests also visited the American Center – a cozy space with themed areas, a corner for electronic games with a console, 3D printers, literature, comics, and manga. Reading rooms were also shown, including the rooms where a rich collection of comics in Croatian and English is stored.
The storage rooms demonstrated the principle of seasonal display of books on loan, which allows current literature to reach readers quickly. Readers have the opportunity to read periodicals in the outdoor area of the library.
In the IT department, the specialists saw the server equipment and learned about its importance for the work of all branches.
Mobile libraries
The team from Veliko Tarnovo was introduced to the two mobile libraries – the "bookmobile" and the "book van" – which serve areas within a radius of up to 105 km. They have a collection and equipment for registering readers and providing services on site. Librarians regularly visit schools, kindergartens, and various public events.
The Two Palaces Branch
On the first day, we visited a branch in the old town, located in the "Two Palaces" building. After renovation and reinforcement due to war damage, the building has been transformed into a dynamic cultural center that houses exhibitions, art installations, a reading room, and a corner for activities with children and adults.
Day two: Visit to architectural landmarks
The second day of the visit coincided with the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Homeland War, as well as the victims of Vukovar and Škabarja – a public holiday in Croatia. The delegation spent the day exploring the architectural and historical landmarks of Zadar, a recognized cultural center of Dalmatia.
Day 3: Presentations and final meetings
The final day was spent in the conference hall of the central building, where the hosts presented the history of the library, the cultural calendar, statistical data on readers, and the library items distributed. The hall is used for a wide range of events and can be rented upon request.
The guests from Bulgaria presented gifts – books in Bulgarian, an English edition of Aleko Konstantinov, a painting, and souvenirs to promote Bulgarian culture.
Finally, the team from Veliko Tarnovo visited the exhibition "Let There Be Drums" by the famous Zadar photographer Stipe Surac, located in the Youth Department.
