The year 2020 for the whole library system was a difficult year during which the librarians faced challenges generated by the pandemic. The community of librarians went through an uncertain period, adjusting themselves to the new conditions. However, the librarians managed to adapt to the new realty by constructive dialogue and by combining forces for achieving the set objectives, National Library director general Elena Pintilei stated in the symposium “Bibliological Year 2019-2020”, IPN reports.

As the president of the Association of Librarians of the Republic of Moldova, Elena Pintilei said that in the course of 2020 the Association, together with the partners, managed to implement a number of projects, including the international project “Hour to Know” and the projects “Summer Academy for Librarians” and “I’m the Promoter of Change”, which developed the critical, participatory sprit of the librarians at the local and central levels. During the last few years, the Association of Librarians took an active part in the development of media and informational education projects.
 
Elena Pintilei noted that the right to have access to the Internet was and will be promoted in libraries, but this does not substitute the librarians’ responsibility towards the communities in which they work. An important accomplishment of the Association of Librarians is also the coordination of the curriculum and program of media education with the Ministry of Education. “This is a benefit for the whole community of librarians. This program and curricula can be used by any librarian of the Association of Librarians. The digital manual is the first manual used by librarians for the media education of children, young people and grownups,” stated Elena Pintilei.

Ana Plămădeală, senior consultant at the Ministry of Education’s Arts and Creative Industries Division, said 2020 was the year of promotion of reading and a national program to promote reading and books was implemented throughout the year. “Each citizen, regardless of age and place of living, should realize that in any moment of life they can learn, read and develop and the easiest method of doing this is through the agency of libraries and library books. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, through the agency of the national program LecturaCentral, will continue to support the promotion of culture and reading in society,” noted Ana Plămădeală

Lidia Kulikovski, of the Municipal Library “B.P. Hasdeu”, said the symposium “Bibliological Year” offers ground to present oneself as a possibility for others, to undertake and learn. “I perceive the Bibliological Year as a living organism created by the people for the people. The Bibliological Year was a platform that motivated, encouraged, inspired and highlighted the courage of the participants. The Bibliological Year is discovered by each librarian. I grew professionally with its assistance,” stated Lidia Kulikovski.