From October 28 to 31, Simona Stoykova - a librarian at the P. R. Slaveykov Regional Library along with the library’s director, Dr. Ivan Alexandrov, and the director of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kalina Ivanova, visited the city of Kraków, Poland, as part of a professional exchange program.
On October 29, the Bulgarian delegation visited the Provincial Public Library in Kraków. The hosts presented the history of the institution, the organization of the library space, and the various initiatives they carry out in collaboration with other cultural and educational organizations in the region. Particularly impressive was the way the building has been adapted to the needs of visitors and transformed into an attractive venue for meetings, training, and cultural events.
Later that same day, the group also visited the Kraków City Library. At both libraries, the focus was on social activities and innovative approaches to attracting new readers. One interesting practice involves working with the youngest visitors—new readers receive their own library card, a certificate, and a special reading passport in which they record the books they’ve read and collect rewards upon reaching a certain number.
On October 30, participants learned about the digitization processes at the Voivodeship Public Library. The library’s activities related to the preservation and digital conservation of its collections were presented, which contribute both to easier access to information and to the long-term preservation of the literary heritage.
The visit to the Arteteka—a modern cultural center attached to the library and dedicated to various art forms—generated particular interest. Spanning three floors, it houses a rich collection of books, films, music recordings, DVDs, and CDs, as well as specialized resources related to various artistic genres and styles.
As part of the visit, a working meeting was held to discuss the opportunities and benefits of the Erasmus+ program, which made this exchange of experience possible. Library representatives from Bulgaria and Poland shared best practices and insights from their work. The Bulgarian side also presented projects related to digitization and innovation in library services, including DigiPrior, MobiReel, and Biblio.
To conclude the visit, the delegation toured the Jagiellonian Library—one of the most significant academic libraries in Poland. Particularly impressive was the deacidification system for paper documents. This process neutralizes the acidity of the paper and slows its aging, allowing valuable library materials to be preserved in good condition for a much longer period of time.
The visit to Kraków provided a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, ideas, and best practices that can be applied in the work of Bulgarian libraries and contribute to their modern development.
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