site.btaNational Library Leadership Highlights Lack of Storing Space for Books, Need for New Building

National Library St. Cyril and Methodius kicked off the week of celebrations of its 145th anniversary on Monday. National Library Public Council Member Krasimir Nedev stressed that despite the festive spirit, the library's problems could not be overlooked. The biggest is the lack of storing space for the books, he said.

"Currently, the library collection amounts to 8.5 million library items. The spaces for storing them are running out of capacity (about 700 library items are stored in 1 square meter)," Nedev explained. He highlighted the need of a new modern home of books and memory – a cultural multifunctional center with halls equipped for cultural events - premieres, exhibitions, readings, discussions, conferences, concerts, etc. 

National Library Director Krasimira Aleksandrova said this problem has been talked about for 4 years. So far, no one has refuted the need for a new building, but nothing has been done about it. "Any politician who commits to such an act [of solving the issue] will go down in history, not only for the Library but for Bulgaria," she underlined.

Aleksandrova pointed out that in recent years some 16,500 volumes have been received from nearly 1,200 donors. She added that literary corners of 23 different countries were opened in the Library in the past three years, as 3 more are expected to be opened in December.

The National Library leadership kicked off the week of celebrations by awarding gold cards and plaques to readers who have been using the institution's services for over 60 years.

"I remember the mid-1950s when the reading room was in the basement," said Nikolay Zhechev, one of the honorees. He called the library a shrine and guardian of Bulgaria’s historical memory.