For the next several years the Rozhnyativ Centralized Library System in the Ivano-Frankivsk oblast of Ukraine can concentrate on providing services to patrons without worrying about financing operations. As a result of a recently adopted local government program , the government will provide up to $36,000 to support implementation of the Library Internet Access Program in Rozhnyativ Raion.
In early 2010, the library system was one of the first winners of Bibliomist’s Public Access Contest. In addition, the branch library in Yasen became a Bibliomist experimental center showcasing the possibility of using satellite internet where conventional methods are not available.
During the inauguration of the new equipment and services at the Central Public Library, the Head of the Raion State Administration Mykola Filipovych promised that the local government would support new innovative library services: “Our raion has 44 libraries, and we dream and aim to computerize all of them to make the internet available in the remotest areas, because information is the only treasure that cannot be taken away.”
Turning the dream into reality was the result of the library’s own advocacy campaign, “Libraries and Government: Working towards Mutual Understanding.” The library developed a roster of institutions supporting library investment including the raion state administration, raion council, and local communities. In October 2010, the raion council officially adopted the program for the period of 2010-2014 with joint financing from local communities covering the monthly internet subscription fee, a library renovation, and new equipment. Now 16 libraries in Rozhnyativ raion have broadband connections fully funded through 2015. In 2011, more than $12,000 will be spent to bring computers to the Central Library for Children, as well as branch libraries in Nebyliv and Tsineva.
Maria Rybchak, Director of Rozhnyativ Central Library System, shared the advocacy know-how with Bibliomist.
“The key consideration in favor of the internet was the feedback from the users of the newly introduced internet centers, local authorities and deputy corps representatives among them. They had a chance to experience the benefits of world information access, communication via Skype, and effective representation of the raion and the library on the web,” Ms. Rybchak pointed out.
Since the adoption of the program, the Central Library System and the Raion Administration have been receiving requests from the local authorities and raion council deputies to incorporate their rural libraries into the project. The head of Luhy village Vasyl Bilan and a Raion Council deputy Myroslava Semkulych said: “We are willing to co-finance the project. Our mountain village is located at a great distance from the raion center. An internet center at the village library would allow our community members to acquire computer skills, to spread the word about the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains, and to develop green tourism ….”
As it appears, the best way to garner long-term support from the local government is to turn its representatives into patrons benefiting from innovative services.
Bibliomist – Global Libraries Ukraine is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented by IREX.