INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE S. Eftimova, E. Tsvetkova, P. Mukanova University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT), Bulgaria

STRUCTURE OF THE PRESENTATION INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE STRUCTURE OF THE PRESENTATION Introduction Methodology Results Conclusions Contact with the author

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE INTRODUCTION Every country in the world has a library system that responds to historical and cultural trends and the needs of society. One of the general characteristics of each of the libraries as a public institution is related to social responsibility. That is why in order to build the full picture of this commitment, it is important to pay attention to the territorial functioning of the so-called regional libraries that have a complex influence on a particular area of cultural and historical significance. This makes sense for the implementation of national strategies for cultural and social integration of regional libraries related to disadvantaged people through the peculiarities of the region. This also contributes to the specific image of the library initiatives.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE INTRODUCTION The library network in Bulgaria is made up of different institutions, among which: The National Library St.St. Cyril and Methodius; Regional libraries; City and municipal libraries; Cultural community center (Chitalishta) libraries; Specialized libraries.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE INTRODUCTION Today more than ever it is necessary to work towards becoming aware of the role and place of libraries as the most democratic institutions providing free access to information for all by working to promote and maximize the capacity of libraries to support the socialization of disadvantaged people in our country.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE METHODOLOGY The study of regional libraries in Bulgaria is based on the information available online. The aim is to analyze library activities, initiatives and projects related to supporting processes for the successful and full inclusion of disadvantaged people in society. The survey is based on information from official sites, conducted during the period 01.12.2018 – 10.01.2019 and comprises all 27 regional libraries in Bulgaria.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE METHODOLOGY For a more extensive study, a review is also available on the facebook libraries' official websites, where the publication of the information sometimes precedes or is missing on the library website. This approach is chosen because analyzing the information provided in the public domain regarding the activities of the libraries related to the initiatives in the field of social and cultural integration gives a real idea of the practical realization of these activities and the level of accessibility.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE METHODOLOGY According to the classification of the territorial units for statistical purposes in Bulgaria there are 27 regions for the main purpose of the statistical reporting of the territorial units according to the requirements of Eurostat. That is why in the current paper there is a short presentation of the activities of the regional libraries in Bulgaria reviewed by this principle.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE RESULTS After reviewing the official site of each of the regional libraries as well as their facebook pages, it is not possible to highlight a specific region in Bulgaria where regional libraries are leading in offering an accessible environment, developed projects and conducted initiatives for disadvantaged people. According to the survey results, we can point out the following: 1. Regrettably, in most regional libraries there are sporadic initiatives related to the disadvantaged people.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE RESULTS 2. Initiatives are most often related to the realization of projects where libraries are partners and the completion of projects puts an end to the work with these users. 3. There is no permanent, well-established library work for the socialization of people with special needs to provide them with permanent and secure services over time. 4. Information on official sites and social networks - for example, on Facebook, where each of the libraries reviewed has its official page - is not updated in due course.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE RESULTS 5. In a small percentage of cases there is no information on the official site of libraries of completed or ongoing projects related to disadvantaged people. Given the public status of the studied libraries, this is a negative indicator that distances the library from its social function. 6. It is necessary to work towards creating effective partnerships between public libraries, organizations and institutions dealing with disadvantaged people, through which, by using the potential of libraries as resource and community-based centers, to improve their quality of life. 7. A properly functioning models for working with disadvantaged people for inclusion through awareness should be set up at national level.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE CONCLUSIONS According to the obtained results, the systematic implementation of such activities and the active position of the library community in our country would contribute to the validation of the libraries as full participants in the socially significant processes in Bulgaria. The capacity of the library environment to support the processes related to the successful and full inclusion of disadvantaged people in society are still not fully implemented in practice in Bulgaria. Such practices in many other countries have led to serious results in terms of inclusion.

INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL LIBRARIES IN BULGARIA IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION : EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE CONCLUSIONS The regional libraries in Bulgaria have the potential and the opportunity to contribute to the realization of social and cultural integration for all members of society. Through their cooperation with other institutions, they can support the processes of social inclusion of disadvantaged people. In the knowledge-based society, libraries have an important mission and their role as an environment for access to information for all needs to be strengthened and developed. It is the public libraries as a social institution that can be an active participant in the processes of socialization of disadvantaged people to open new paths and horizons to them.

Contact with the author Assist. Prof. Sabina Eftimova, PhD: email: s.eftimova@unibit.bg Assist. Prof. Elisaveta Tsvetkova, PhD: email: e.tcvetkova@unibit.bg Assist. Prof. Polly Mukanova, PhD: email: p.mukanova@unibit.bg University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT), Sofia, BULGARIA