On July 1, 2026, in the town of Strazhitsa, experts from various library fields at the “Petko R. Slaveykov” Regional Library participated in a training seminar as part of the Ministry of Culture’s project “Regional Library Playing a Leading Role in Professional Education and Continuing Education for Library Specialists in the Veliko Tarnovo Region.”
Librarians from community libraries in the Municipality of Strazhitsa were briefed on the fundamentals of key library processes, with an emphasis on the deaccessioning of library items (Venera Ignatova). The application of the Personal Data Protection Act in libraries—including practices, ethics, and legal protection—was also explained in detail (Milena Krasteva). The advice and recommendations regarding the graphic design platform Canva—and its potential as a valuable tool for creating promotional materials for events on the library or community center’s cultural calendar—were particularly interesting and useful (Martina Yankova-Radoslava). In his presentation “Artificial Intelligence to the Librarian’s Aid,” Kaloyan Zdravkov offered recommendations and advice based on his personal experience regarding another relevant tool.
The audience also listened with great interest to the presentation by Mr. Nikolay Petrov—an expert from the Regional Information Center—who discussed funding opportunities for community centers through external donor programs.
The latest publications prepared for print by the Regional Library were also presented to the conference: “Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kalina Ivanova. Biobibliography” (Anastasia Radeva) and “Libraries, Reading, Communications: Proceedings of the 24th National Scientific Conference with International Participation” (Marina Stoykova).
In her welcoming remarks, Mariana Burova—acting director of the “Petko R. Slaveykov” Regional Library—congratulated community center activists on the anniversary—170 years of organized community center work—and presented the library at the “Razvitie – 1895” Community Center in the town of Strazhitsa, the five-volume collected works of Petko R. Slaveykov, published by “Zahari Stoyanov” Publishing House.
Dr. Ivan Alexandrov’s presentation was linked to another important anniversary we will commemorate in 2026—the 150th anniversary of the glorious April Uprising. He presented the encyclopedic publication “The April Uprising 1876–2026: 150 Years Since the Bulgarian Uprising of 1876,” authored by Prof. Petko St. Petkov and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Shopov, published by “Bulgarian Bestseller.”
By combining professional training, presentations on new technologies, best library practices, and current cultural and historical topics, the seminar provided an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and ideas. It reaffirmed the commitment of the “Petko R. Slaveykov” Regional Library to being an active partner in the development of librarianship and in strengthening the network of community center libraries in the region.
