Memory from Diana Velkova – Gradinarova, librarian

I am a librarian at the American Centre at Sofia City Library. When we mention the Bulgarian libraries and the American experience, the first name that comes to mind for all of us, the librarians, is Snejana Ianeva. I admired her intelligence, professionalism, optimism, readiness to help, workaholism. She communicated with the same easiness with people from different social rank. She was a visionary. She thought big. She didn’t give up because of difficulties. She fought with all her strength for the causes she believed in.

I know Sneja since 2001. We met in connection with the opening of the Library in Americanology at Sofia City Library, established by donation of the American Embassy in Bulgaria. His Excellency James Pardu, the US Ambassador in Bulgaria at that time, opened the new and attractive space for readers. I was in constant contact with Sneja and she always helped me.

The main contribution for the development of the project Sister Libraries in Bulgaria was hers. Our library, as well as some other regional libraries established partnership with libraries in Colorado. The aim was the exchange of information resources, professional help and enrichment of intercultural relations. In 2002 together with seven other Bulgarian librarians I took part in an information trip to the USA on a program for foreign visitors, financed by the US Embassy in Bulgaria.

We had the chance to visit a lot of different types of libraries, including our partner libraries. The aim of the trip was not only to get professional information but to understand better the American way of life. This trip changed my concept about what is to be a librarian. Sneja was with us all the time – she directed us, advised us and supported us. I am very grateful to her that she gave me such an opportunity.

Then the new ABLE project started and thanks to it other Bulgarian librarians had the chance to learn about the US library system. One of the purposes of the project was the libraries to add new services in accordance with the development of information technologies. In several libraries, including ours, American Spaces were set up.  Another goal was the social prestige of the libraries to be raised, the funding and support to be increased. Thanks to Sneja’s effort and the financial support from the US Embassy, a lot of my colleagues and I had the opportunity to participate in various trainings, seminars, conferences in Bulgaria and abroad. The credit goes to Sneja for establishing   American Centre at Sofia City Library.