"Zora" library community centre – the town of Sliven
The library at "Zora" Community Centre in the town of Sliven is one of the oldest ones in Bulgaria. An interesting fact to mention is that the library establishment precedes for five years the Community Centre creating. The beginning of the library collection is stated in the year 1855 by the great personalities of Bulgarian National Revival Dobri Chintulov and Dr. Ivan Seliminski, whose figures have national dimensions in Bulgarian History and culture. They together with other teachers and intellectuals grant books from their personal libraries for use by all citizens of Sliven. Later Alexander Exarh makes a big donation of Russian books. The library survives turbulent revolution days before and during April rebellion, relocation from the school, where it has been located, in the church "Saint Dimitar", in private homes, but yet Sliven people keep "their" books. Bulgarian Liberation and the energetic activity, which the Community Centre develops, have a wholesome effect on the library. For one century "Zora" was the only library in the town – time, when it has collected and kept extremely valuable book-stock, presented in a great part unique bibliography source. The editions that we possess are from the period of 16 century to nowadays and these are books and periodicals in Arabian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, French, German and English. Especially valuable is our collection of Bulgarian early printed books and periodical editions.
Today "Zora" library disposes with own functional building on area of 560 square metres and a fund of 125 000 library units – books, albums, periodicals, gramophone records, compact discs. The visits for a year are 40 000. The library is a general educational public institution, leading library community centre for Sliven region. Considering the newest tendencies in the library practice we changed completely the work technology, leading by the conviction that the modern library is not simply a document storehouse but also an information centre, which must serve to the readers not only through its funds. Until recently a direct contact person – document was realized. We already work in direction to guarantee a distance access to the information, wanted by the consumer. Through our projects, financing by none government organizations, a complete automation of the library processes is involved on the way of the book – documents processing, cataloguing, and service. All departments dispose with computerized work place and function in a rate of local net, which ensures rapidity and facility at the service. We already dispose with own electronic data base, that are maintained from the year 1993. Since the year 2000 we have already offered full access to Internet for our readers / now only one work place/. What is forthcoming is the change of the part of the personal computers that become out of date too fast, as the transfer to work by a new version of the specialized software for the library data base. We envisage increasing the number of the computerized places for readers as well. All that will improve the information environment between different related institutions in our country and abroad.
The libraries have always been the factor, which connected one nation to the great science and culture, to the world civilization. The library of a town inevitably reflects the economical and spiritual development of its citizens. It was and it will be the same for "Zora" Library. We are convinced that we will preserve the eternal significance of this cultural institute, keeping the traditions from the past, stepping in the present and looking into the future.