Stefka Ilieva is a methodologist at the Regional Library "Ivan Vazov" in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The library is the second largest and oldest in Bulgaria, housing over 1.5 million items. As a methodologist, Stefka provides training and support to librarians across the Plovdiv region to help libraries better serve their communities. She is also involved in a project supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand access to technology and online resources through Bulgaria's public libraries.

1. Stefka Ilieva, Regional Library “Ivan
Vazov” Plovdiv

2.  Bulgaria is a country in Europe,
situated on the Balkan Peninsula.
To the north the country borders
on Rumania, to the east – on the
Black Sea, to the south – on
Turkey and Greece and to the
west – on Serbia and Macedonia.
It’s population - 8,000 million
people. The capital city is Sofia.
 Bulgaria is a parliamentary
republic, with a National
Assembly. The President is Head
of State.

3.  The city of
Plovdiv (330 000
inhabitants) is
situated on the
banks of the
Maritsa River.

4.  The second largest city in Bulgaria; it is a
cultural and historical center. This is a city
with ancient history. Beginning of the town is
about 4000 BC. Landmark is the Old Town;
there are many old houses and museums.
There is also the building of the ancient
amphitheater, 4th century BC created.

5. The library moved into this building
in 1974.

6.  Regional Public Library is a universal, public library
and is the second biggest and oldest library in
Bulgaria. In 1974 it was moved into a new building.
 Now the Library has 1 500 000 library units, 13 000
users, 3000 children, 100 000 visits, 136 staff.
 There are 11 departments in the Library:
Acquisitions and Periodicals, Cataloging, Reader
Services and Book Stores, Arts Dept., Regional
Studies, Children’s Dept., Methodological
department, Reference and Bibliography Dept.,
Automation of library processes, publishing
department and Administrative department. There
are eight reading rooms with a total of 300 seats.

7. Zlatka Ivanova- head
Stefka Ilieva-
metodologist
Angelina Stavreva-
metodologist
Tania Pileva-
metodologist

8. Methodologist is a library expert
who contributes to professional
development of librarians
trough individual consultations
upon request, by providing
expert assistance in libraries.

9. The Methodological department takes a leadership
role in coordinating regional wide planning and
development of library services. A staff of
professional library consultants works closely with
public libraries to help define and meet the wide
variety of information needs.

10.  Public libraries-198
 School libraries-35
 Academic libraries-8
 Special libraries-7

11. Strategic plan;
Library Rules;
Library Statute;
Job profile

12. We complete detailed statistical
information about libraries and
submit it to local authorities for
making management decisions.
Together with my colleagues we
conclude annual contracts with local
authorities to carry out expert-
consulting services to public libraries
in the region of Plovdiv

13. -Seminars;
-Workshops;
-Business meeting;
-Trainings;
We organize qualification for all librarians in the
region

16. Since 2008 the department is
included in the “Bill and Melinda
Gates” project “ Global Libraries-
Bulgaria”

17.  The Glob@l Libraries - Bulgaria Programme is
a joint initiative of the Bulgarian Ministry of
Culture and the United Nations Development
Programme supported by a USD 15 million
grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation. Glob@l Libraries - Bulgaria is
designed to facilitate access to information,
knowledge, communication, e-contents and
community services through Bulgaria's public
libraries network. Within five years, the
program help Bulgarian citizens integrate
into the global information society.

18.  In accordance with the policy of lifelong
learning and the objectives of "Glob @ l
Libraries Bulgaria" by mid-February 2011,
training center for the Regional Library "Ivan
Vazov" Plovdiv after a invitation to the site
of the library started training for citizens of
the city in two modules: "Working with a
computer "and "Internet for Beginners. "

20.  960 global libraries providing public access to
IT equipment and the internet.
 49 global libraries providing public access to
IT equipment and the internet in Plovdiv
region.
 7 equipment packages based on library space
and population size (3 to 25 computers for
users per library). Microsoft software
donated for all workstations.

21.  180 librarians trained in ICT in Plovdiv region.
 We develop new services for citizens and
communities through the library:
 Help for unemployed people to find jobs;
 Filling in applications for financials subsides;
 Lists of medications approved by the Bulgarian
National Health Insurance; Fund and health
related information;
 Health insurance checks;
 Help for young people to find in schools and
universities;
 Searching for information on EU-funding;

22.  We provide trainings for librarians in five
modules:
 Information and communication
technologies;
 Management of Library;
 Services in a modern Library;
 Work with communities;
 Advocacy and lobbying for libraries and
project management.

23.  In 2011 and 2012 the program focuses on training
librarians and implementing contemporary
services which libraries can provide through ICT
to citizens and local communities.
 The teaching component that we have always
had in our profession, which started with
explaining how to use our libraries to locate
books, and led to training on how to use online
databases, will continue to expand as the gap
grows between those who have access to
information and those who need access to
information.

24. 4000 Plovdiv
ul. “Avksentii Veleshki” № 17,
Phone. : +32 654 913 ; 654 939
Fax : +32 654 902
E-mail : omnbiv@gmail.com
Skype : metodichen1I
URL:http: //www.libplovdiv.com
Monday – Friday
8.00 – 16.30