From May 18 to 22, 2026, a team from the P. R. Slaveykov Regional Library in Veliko Tarnovo conducted a professional visit to Slovenia thanks to the Erasmus+ “Educational Mobility” program, project 2025-1-BG01-KA121-ADU-000334042. During the visit, the team toured leading libraries in Ljubljana and Radovljica to exchange best practices and ideas for development.
Modern Libraries and Innovative Services
The first stop was the “Oton Župančič” City Library in Ljubljana—one of the country’s most significant cultural institutions. With a network of 34 branches and over 1.8 million library items, it offers a wide range of services—from a bookmobile and the digitization of rare editions to a variety of cultural events and educational programs.
The library actively promotes reading through literary gatherings, exhibitions, and book clubs. An interesting feature is the “Urbana” card, which, in addition to providing access to the library, allows users to use public transportation and other services.
The Library as a Community Center
In Radovlitsa, the team visited the “Anton Linhart” Library, which serves several municipalities. Despite its small staff, it organizes hundreds of events annually and has established itself as a vibrant cultural hub. The space is modern and functional—with children’s areas, event halls, a café, and accessibility features for people with disabilities.
Particular attention is paid to the family environment, education, and access to culture through innovative services such as automated book returns and thematically organized collections.
Specialized Collections and Cultural Heritage
At the Slovene National Library in Ljubljana, the Bulgarian guests explored collections dedicated to local history and culture, including rare editions from the 16th to 18th centuries. The largest collection of miniature books in Europe is also impressive.
The group also visited the National and University Library—a symbol of Slovenian culture with a collection of over 3 million items. The building, designed by Jože Plečnik, is architecturally striking and houses valuable rare editions.
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