Library Map of the World

BLIA is a voluntary, independent organization that unites library and information professionals and has over 1,000 individual and 80 collective members. BLIA provides leadership for the improvement of library and information services and stimulates the development of library legislation. It fosters professional development and encourages library cooperation; offers consulting services; provides opportunities for continuing education; and manages a publishing program that includes, among others, BLIA magazine and electronic newsletter. BLIA has a website and a Facebook page. The major activities of the Association feature a National Library Week, annual conference, etc.  BLIA is member of IFLA and EBLIDA.

The National Library /est. 1878/ is the archive of Bulgarian written heritage. It is a mandatory depository for all print documents published in Bulgaria; collects  Bulgarica and has special collections with Bulgarian cultural heritage items. It maintains the national bibliography and is the national agency for ISBNs and ISSNs. It is a center for restoration and conservation of Bulgarian, Slavic, oriental and other foreign language manuscripts, archival documents, etc. The Library conducts scientific and applied science research in the field of library science, bibliography, etc. It has an extensive digitization program and many documents of cultural value are accessible online.

The Ministry of Culture pursues the government policy for public libraries, creating the conditions for their development. It provides coordination and methodological guidance of Bulgaria's public libraries through the network of 27 regional libraries. 

The Ministry is responsible for the provision of library and information services in the system of secondary and tertiary education by creating the necessary regulatory prerequisites.

GLBF assists public libraries in Bulgaria to facilitate the inclusion of Bulgarian citizens in the global information society and improve their quality of life by creating conditions for free and equal access to information, internet, modern technologies and electronic services; promoting information literacy, lifelong learning, civic participation, social cohesion, local and community development; supporting social integration of disadvantaged groups and equal educational opportunities for all. Through participation in international organizations and programs, the Foundation promotes intercultural dialogue and the contacts between professional organizations and individual libraries both in the member states of the European Union and in countries outside it. 

The Strategy aims to ensure access to life long learning (LLL) forms through libraries, that are focused on new target groups - especially those with specific needs and those residing in remote locations. Public libraries are seen as well-established centers for informal and self-learning and, because of their recognition as centers of digital literacy training, among others, they are regarded as a proactive factor in the implementation of LLL initiatives to community benefit. The strategy also focuses on the modernization of school libraries into an attractive multifunctional spaces within the school environment – a place for reading, social events and contacts.

The Strategy highlights the role of reading and the role of libraries in improving literacy. Public libraries are included with programs to promote reading and to provide access to books for socially disadvantaged people. There are provisions for enrichment of the library collections,  creation  of conditions for use of materials on electronic media, free access to public libraries for the socially disadvantaged, etc.

Libraries are mentioned in two places in this Strategy. First, as a positive example of respect for the rights of disadvantaged people, quoting the Public Libraries Act (2009), which contains a specific text obligating libraries to provide an accessible environment and the necessary conditions for the use of library materials by persons with disabilities. Measures in respect of libraries and chitalishte provide for methodological assistance to improve accessibility in these institutions.

The Strategy shows alarming data about the decline in reading interest, with every fifth youngster having no books at home.
The second strategic objective calls for the improvement of access to information and quality services for young people. The specific library-related tasks here are improving the access of young people to the Internet and digital content in public libraries in Bulgaria.

In force since July 6, 2009, the Act regulates the governance of public libraries and their interaction in a national network. It stipulates their functions, sources of financing, and the professional requirements for library staff. The Act introduces unified standards for public libraries operation and services.  It creates conditions for free and equal access to library services for all (incl. free basic library services and Internet access). The Act provides for a National Library Council with the Ministry of Culture, tasked to prepare library development strategies and measures for the preservation of library collections and access to cultural heritage.

The new Law for the Legal Deposit of Print and Other Works (adopted in 2001) stipulates mandatory deposit of copies of printed works; sound recordings, cine-film or electronic media; works in digital format; theses defended in Bulgaria and by Bulgarians abroad. These can be works produced within the country, ordered for production abroad and/or produced by Bulgarian citizens abroad. The Law provides for the preservation of complete collections of those documents as part of the national cultural heritage; for ensuring public access to deposited documents; and for the bibliographic registration of deposited documents and distribution of bibliographic information through the national bibliography. The National Library receives deposit copies of all print works and theses and is responsible for the publishing of bibliographic records about them in the national bibliography. It distributes part of the deposit copies to other libraries in the country. Institutions receiving deposit copies can allow registered users to use them only on their premises.

The Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act (1993) regulates the relationships related to the creation and distribution of literary, artistic and scientific works. The law provides protection for "any literary, artistic and scientific work resulting from endeavor and expressed by any mode and in any tangible form shall be the subject matter of copyright".

The exceptions or limitations of copyright related to the activities and services of libraries, educational institutions, museums and archives education and research are the cases of free use provided in Art. 23, Art. 24, Art. 25, Art. 25a, Art. 26, Art. 70, Art. 71, Art. 93g, Art. 97 (7). The free use of works is permissible only in the cases, specified by the law, under the condition that it does not conflict with the normal exploitation of the work and the legitimate interests of the copyright holder are not impaired.  The provision of Art. 24 (1)(9) allows, without payment or remuneration, the reproduction of already published works by publicly accessible libraries, educational or other learning establishments, museums and archive institutions, with educational purposes or with the purpose of preservation of the works, unless serving for commercial purposes, etc. Art. 24(1)(10) allows free reproduction of works, that have been made available to the public, into Braille script or other analogous format, unless done for profit purposes. Section 8 of Chapter 7 (as of 2015) lists the special rules for the use of orphan works and phonograms, as defined in Directive 2012/28/EU. Public lending rules are not applicable to libraries.

The Public Libraries Act sets out the basic requirements for occupying library positions in public libraries.

There are three universities in Bulgaria currently providing university degree education in Library and Information Science (LIS):

• Sofia University. Faculty of Philosophy (bachelor, master and PhD degrees),
• University of Library Studies and Information technologies. Faculty of Library Studies and Cultural Heritage, and the Faculty of Library Management (bachelor, master and PhD degrees),
• Veliko Turnovo University. Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics (bachelor and master degrees).

The National High School of Polygraphy and Photography (a professional secondary school in Sofia) is offers professional education for acquiring library profession (qualification – professional librarian).

The Public Libraries Act (2009) introduced the vocational education and training (VET) for librarians after upper secondary education. This level education is provided by Centers for Professional Education licensed by the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training. Before 2009, there has been no VET for people with secondary education. The introduction of the VET program "Librarian" responded to the needs of, mostly, the small public libraries in rural areas, where library staff has only secondary education. This type of training is appropriate also for technicians in the big research and academic libraries. The programs feature theory classes as well as in-service training. Programs and textbooks for the different modules has been developed by experts of the Bulgarian Library and Information Association.

Bi-monthly publication of the Bulgarian Library and Information Association. The magazine informs about world trends in library and information science, presents innovative practices and is a forum for communication and discussions in the library community. There is an online and print edition, by subscription only.

Bi-monthly magazine for library theory and practice published by the St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library.

May 11th is the professional holiday of librarians in Bulgaria. First celebrated in 2006, it recognizes the work and the achievements of Bulgarian librarians and their contributions to literacy, education and research, advance of culture, life-long learning and development.

This is an advocacy campaign of the Bulgarian Library and Information Association (BLIA). During the Week, librarians meet with local authorities, NGOs, and with the citizens enhancing the visibility of their libraries in the community, promoting their achievements and highlighting the significance of local support. At the national level, BLIA organizes hearings at the National Assembly and meetings with representatives of government agencies. BLIA invites as speakers internationally acknowledged personalities who are champions for the role of libraries. The major event is the official launch of the campaign that features a keynote speaker presentation and BLIA annual awards ceremony.