ABOUT
Region: Eastern Europe
Population: 7,127,822
Area: 111,000
GDP per capita, PPP: 19,243
(current international $)
Major Languages: Bulgarian (official) 76.8%, Turkish 8.2%, Romani 3.8%, other 0.7%, unspecified 10.5% (2011 est.)

Library Location Resources

Public libraries (GLBF network)
LIBRARIES IN

Traditionally, Bulgaria has had a well-developed library network. The roots of the current Bulgarian libraries date back to the middle of the 19th century when the first public libraries were established. The National and first academic and scientific libraries appeared in the end of the 19th century after the restoration of the Bulgarian state in 1878. During socialism, a centralized library system was established with more than 10,000 libraries of different types. After years of rapid development, libraries were subject to serious cuts during the transition to market economy in the beginning of the 1990s. Lack of funding hampered their book acquisitions and technological development.

Nowadays there is a decentralized library system that includes national, public, academic, school, and special libraries. Recently, because of the autonomy of universities, academic libraries were the first to develop as modern institutions. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Science are the school libraries. After energetic advocacy from Bulgarian Library and Information Association, Preschool and School Education Act (2015) has provisions for the library and information services. 

The lack of a strategy for their development and the inadequate policy of the Ministry of Culture left public libraries very much on their own. Public libraries received serious push with the Global Libraries – Bulgaria program (2008-2013) that brought computers and Internet to 960 libraries and increased the number of library users.

A major driving force for library development in the last 25 years has been the Bulgarian Library and Information Association that unites the efforts of Bulgarian librarians for the adoption of new library policy and relevant legislation (incl. the Public Libraries act of 2009) and for introducing innovative library services. It also performs a number of library-related indispensable activities as continuing education programs and publishing of professional literature.  

The most recent survey (2013) of the National Statistical Institute reports that there are 3,938 libraries in Bulgaria – 66 academic, 2,803 public, 1,065 school and 4 central special libraries. The number for the public libraries includes four categories: the National Library; 27 regional libraries; 19 municipal libraries and 2,762 chitalishte libraries.  The regional libraries are the most developed public libraries in the country and form the backbone of the national territorial library and information services network.

The Ministry of Culture coordinate the activities of Bulgaria's public libraries through the regional libraries. Regional libraries are subordinate to the corresponding municipality. The chitalishte libraries are closest to the public, as there is a chitalishte in every Bulgarian town and in almost every village. Chitalishte are non-government organizations, established in the 19th century as reading centers. Nowadays they are functioning as community clubs. The level of chitalishte libraries is not uniform across the country and some are developing quite well, while others are lagging behind. Those libraries are subordinate to the Boards of Trustees of the corresponding chitalishte. Regional and chitalishte libraries receive funding from the government and, in some cases, from the municipality. The 19 municipality libraries are local cultural institutions entirely financed by the municipality.  



SDG STORIES: Stories Available
PERFORMANCE METRICS

SELECT METRIC VIEW

Totals Per 1M People*

Number of Libraries

Total Libraries with Internet Access

Total Staff

Volunteers

Registered Users

Total Visits

Total Physical Loans

Total Electronic Loans
CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS
Population and Geography
43 65.7
Median Age Population Density
people per sq km
Information and Infrastructure
59.8% 1.4%
Internet UsersInternet Gender Gap
Poverty and Employment
1.5% 7.6%
Poverty Rate
2011 PPP
Unemployment
% of labor force
Education and Literacy
No Data Available 4.1%
Adult Literacy Rate
% of people age 15+
Education Spending
% of GDP
Innovation and Skills
42.1% 1%
ICT Skills:
Transfering Files
Research Spending
% of GDP
Organisations
National Library Associations
National Library
Policy Making Institutions
Library Support Organisations
Policy & Legislation
National Policy for Libraries
Library Law
Legal Deposit Law
Copyright Law
Library Exceptions & Limitations
Education & Events
Professional Qualification Requirements
Education
Professional Publications
Professional Events
PERFORMANCE METRICS
Learn more about the performance metrics
SELECT METRIC VIEW
Totals Per 1 M People
LEGEND
N/A' Not Applicable '-' No Data '0' Zero
Total National Academic Public Community School Other

Total Libraries

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Libraries with Internet Access

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Full-Time Staff

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Volunteers

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Registered User

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-
-
-
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Physical Visits

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Physical Loans

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Electronic Loans

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CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS
Learn more about the contextual indicators
LEGEND
N/A' Not Applicable '-' No Data '0' Zero
Population Bulgaria Region World
Population Density
people per sq km
65.7
2016
33.2
2016
57.4
2016
Urban Population (World Bank) 74.3%
2016
71.1%
2016
54.3%
2016
Median Age (CIA) 43
2017
-
30
2017
Age Dependency Ratio, Youth (World Bank)
% of working age people
21.9%
2017
27.1%
2017
39.7%
2017
Age Dependency Ratio, Elderly (ITU World Telecoms Database)
% of working age people
32%
2017
24.5%
2017
13.3%
2017
Information Infrastructure Bulgaria Region World
Internet Users (ITU World Telecoms Database)
% of population
59.8%
2016
-
-
Broadband Cost (ITU World Telecoms Database)
in USD
$10.1
2016
$14.6
2016
$20.1
2016
Phone Subscription Cost (ITU World Telecoms Database)
in USD
$25.4
2016
$9.5
2016
$9.5
2016
Internet Gender Gap (ITU World Telecoms Database)
% of Men Internet Users - % of Women Internet Users
1.4%
2016
-
11.6%
2017
Access to Electricity (World Bank)
100%
2016
100%
2016
87.4%
2016
Economy, Poverty, and Employment Bulgaria Region World
GDP per Capita (World Bank)
current international $
19,243
2016
31,362
2016
16,215
2016
Poverty Rate (World Bank)
at $1.90 a Day, 2011 PPP
1.5%
2014
1.6%
2013
10.9%
2013
Inequality Index (World Bank)
0 is perfect equality, 100 is the complete inequality
37
2014
-
-
Unemployment (World Bank)
% of labor force
7.6%
2016
8.2%
2016
5.9%
2014
Inactive Youth (World Bank)
% of youth
18.2%
2016
13.8%
2016
-
Education and Literacy Bulgaria Region World
Students per Teacher (World Bank)
Ratio
18
2016
15
2016
24
2016
Adult Literacy Rate (World Bank)
% of people age 15+
-
99.1%
2016
86.2%
2016
Education Spending (World Bank)
% of GDP
4.1%
2013
5.1%
2014
4.9%
2014
Innovation and Skills Bulgaria Region World
Research Spending (World Bank)
% of GDP
1%
2015
1.9%
2015
2.2%
2015
ICT Skills: Programming (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
2%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Creating Presentations (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
17.8%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Finding, Downloading, Installing Software (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
17.2%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Transferring Files (International Telecommunication Union)
% of Population
42.1%
2015
-
-
ICT Skills: Sending Emails
% of Population
-
-
-
ICT Skills: Using Copy/Paste
% of Population
-
-
-
ICT Skills: Connect/Install Devices
% of Population
-
-
-
ICT Skills: Using Math in Spreadsheets
% of Population
-
-
-
Organisations

National Library Associations

Bulgarian Library and Information Association (BLIA) / Българска библиотечно-информационна асоциация (ББИА)

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.

National Library

St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library / Национална библиотека „Св. св. Кирил и Методий" (НБКМ)

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.

Policy Making Institutions

Ministry of Culture / Министерство на културата

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. 

Ministry of Education and Science / Министерство на образованието и науката

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.

Library Support Organisations

Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation (GLBF) / Фондация „Глобални библиотеки- България" (ФГББ)

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. 

Policy & Legislation

National Policy for Libraries

National Strategy for Life Long Learning, 2014-2020 / Национална стратегия за учене през целия живот /2014-2020/

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 National Strategy for Promoting and Improving Literacy, 2014-2020 / Националната стратегия за насъчаване и повишаване на грамотността (2014 – 2020)

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.

National Strategy for People with Disabilities, 2016-2020 / Национална стратегия за хората с увреждания (2016-2020)

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.

National Youth Straregy, 2012 – 2020 / Национална стратегия за младежта (2012 – 2020)

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.

Library Law

Public Libraries Act / Закон за обществените библиотеки

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.

Legal Deposit Law

Law for the Legal Deposit of Print and Other Works / Закон за задължителното депозиране на печатни и други произведения

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.

Copyright Law & Library Exceptions and Limitations

Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act / Закон за авторското право и сродните му права

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".

Exceptions and limitations for libraries

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.

Education & Events

Professional Qualification Requirements

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

Education

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.

Professional Publications

BBIA Online / ББИА Онлайн

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.

Biblioteka / Библиотека

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

Professional Events

National Librarians' Day

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.

National Library Week

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.
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