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The Binhai Cultural Centre is a major project initiated by the Tianjin government to showcase the city's cultural strength and boost tourism. The first phase of the Cultural Center was opened to the public in 2017, along with the library. The complex is designed as a junction point for the old town, residential districts, commercial areas and the government district, complementing the missing programs in each. Located in Tianjin, Mainland China, Binhai Library is a place for book lovers and curious visitors alike. The futuristic building is housed in a sheltered gallery covered with cathedral-like arches that curl around the sphere in the center, known as the "The Eye of Binhai", looking like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie. Like an iris, the curving effect of the building creates, from the bookshelves, an environment suitable for leisure, reading, study, while encouraging reflection or exploration. The five levels offer various educational facilities, arranged along the inner edges, with access through the main atrium space. From the ground floor, visitors can easily access the reading spaces for children and seniors, the auditorium and the terraces on the upper floors. The first three floors are mainly arranged with reading rooms, book shelves and seating areas, while the upper floors include meeting rooms, reading rooms, offices, rooms equipped with computers and other IT devices, audio/multimedia rooms and two roof terraces. The angles and curves are meant to stimulate different uses of the space such as reading, walking, meeting, talking and together they form "the eye" of the building: to see and to be seen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) have awarded the Public Library of the Year, honoring new and innovative public libraries. The award is given each year to the world's best public library, a newly built public library that combines functional architecture with creative IT solutions and incorporates local culture with digital development. The Missoula Public Library, the 2022 winner, had three guiding principles from the design phase: sustainability, flexibility and sustainability. The building includes an energy-saving air distribution system and is heated by geothermal energy. The new library focuses on collaboration and creativity. In the architects' vision, by achieving the highest level of sustainable design, the new library-museum complex in Missoula is designed to endure for generations. They found inspiration for the library's design in the surrounding nature: the staircases, walls and furniture are clad in wood, and the purple interior color is a tribute to Montana's state flower, Lewisia rediviva (bitterroot). The central main staircase between floors is reminiscent of climbing a mountain, and each of the floors offers different activities and options. On the top floor, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of Sentinel Mountain from the library's rooftop terrace. The building is inviting and responsive to changes in technology, user interests, collection diversity and the environment. This network of library, museum, science center and community center blends Missoula's rich heritage with state-of-the-art innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest Singapore library users celebrated the reopening of the Choa Chu Kang Public Library on October 27, 2021. In addition to a wide variety of bibliographic resources, the recently renovated library is unique, being Singapore’s first public library with a focus on sustainability, with an indoor garden as well as a hydroponic showcase. Choa Chu Kang Public Library is the seventh and latest next-generation library, under National Library Board’s LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025) plan. The total area of the Choa Chu Kang Public Library after renovation and expansion is 3,000sq m, occupying the 4th and 5th floors of Lot One Shoppers’ mall, about 30% larger than the previous one. The library was relaunched with the theme Reconnect with nature, a slogan that the National Library Board promotes in all partner libraries of the LAB 25 program. The role of the Choa Chu Kang public library is to meet the general information and leisure needs of the community. The collection includes approximately 180,000 bibliographic resources, including materials that deal mainly with topics related to nature, the environment, sustainability, sustainable lifestyle. Users can use the facilities available in the Study Area and the Multimedia Area, independent of the library’soperating hours, by simply scanning a barcode written on the library card or the QR code, through the mobile application offered by the National Library Board. Other services and facilities include: multimedia stations, digital learning tools, live streams of nature, book return boxes, self-service printing services, educational materials, reading and story areas, seat reservation system, workstations, lockers for storing various equipment, user education and information literacy programs, school holidays specific programs, workshops and working groups on various topics, exhibition spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic and the International Federation of Librarians and Libraries Associations (IFLA) awarded the Public Library of the Year, honoring new and innovative public libraries. In search of this year's winner, the jury reduced the list of 32 libraries to 5 nominations. The Public Library of the Year award is given each year to the best public library in the world - a newly built public library that combines functional architecture with creative IT solutions and includes local culture with digital development. The Public Library of the Year award is a tribute to the models, and the winning library - Deichman Bjørvika - serves as a role model for future library buildings. Deichman Bjørvika meets more than the criteria for winning the award, and the international jury was particularly impressed by the way the building combines environmental awareness with architectural flair. The library is a new paradise for books and reading, while incorporating advanced technological solutions. Deichman Bjørvika shows how libraries can function as institutions that bring people together in large urban areas, cities and local communities. Along with the Oslo Opera and the Munch Museum, Deichman Bjørvika is a major contribution to Oslo as a city of culture, being designed as a building that inspires visitors to explore all the new facilities and activities on offer. The library building is part of a large-scale renovation project in the area, an urban renewal project that is now transforming Oslo's waterfront into a thriving cultural center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Library of Qatar aims to have a threefold role: the national library, the university-level research library and the central metropolitan public library equipped for the digital age. The National Library of Qatar had the historic chance to design and build, "from scratch", the first fully integrated library, starting from a new concept that includes the provision of an integrated service, unified with content adapted to the needs of users. The construction and development of an ultra-modern and hightech library was very important in a country like Qatar, which had to provide as many collections of materials and content as possible, in digital format and which, thanks to extensive projects digitization, managed to provide them to meet the needs of citizens, prior to the inauguration of the National Library building in Qatar. Free access to all types and levels of library materials, addressed and designed in a single shelf classification or in a single application provides a better choice for everyone and will improve the library experience and use. The integrated collection will educate people about the possibilities they have and will offer them opportunities that they would otherwise have lost in a distinct, separate, unified system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) have awarded the Public Library of the Year, honoring new and innovative public libraries. The award is given each year to the world's best public library, a newly built public library that combines functional architecture with creative IT solutions and incorporates local culture with digital development. The Missoula Public Library, the 2022 winner, had three guiding principles from the design phase: sustainability, flexibility and sustainability. The building includes an energy-saving air distribution system and is heated by geothermal energy. The new library focuses on collaboration and creativity. In the architects' vision, by achieving the highest level of sustainable design, the new library-museum complex in Missoula is designed to endure for generations. They found inspiration for the library's design in the surrounding nature: the staircases, walls and furniture are clad in wood, and the purple interior color is a tribute to Montana's state flower, Lewisia rediviva (bitterroot). The central main staircase between floors is reminiscent of climbing a mountain, and each of the floors offers different activities and options. On the top floor, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of Sentinel Mountain from the library's rooftop terrace. The building is inviting and responsive to changes in technology, user interests, collection diversity and the environment. This network of library, museum, science center and community center blends Missoula's rich heritage with state-of-the-art innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public libraries have a special significance for the Finnish people and the favourable public opinion of libraries is also widely shared by the Finnish decision makers. The paper looks at Helsinki's new city library, the Helsinki Central Library Oodi, which was launched by the Finnish Ministry of Culture in 1998 and has opened its doors in December 2018. Located in the heart of the city opposite Parliament House, the Library has become one of the flagship projects celebrating the centenary of Finland's independence. This paper focuses on the practices of citizen participation which have been key in the planning of the library since its very beginnings, and considers how including the citizens and library users in planning the library's new services and functions has promoted grass roots democracy, openness, and a feeling of ownership of the new library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the financial support of the Global Libraries - The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Future Library proposes the International Network of Emerging Library Innovators in the Balkan Region (INELI-Balkans) project, implemented between December 2014 - November 2017. The partner countries are Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia. The project aims to create a network of sustainable libraries, that fosters the institutional development, the exchange of knowledge and expertise, the cooperation regarding the trainers, organizations and local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By providing access to information and skills development, public libraries are essential partners to provide equal opportunities to all. Public Libraries 2020 is an advocacy initiative aimed at EU institutions, created by the Dutch Foundation "Reading & Writing", joined by the National Library of Romania. From 17 to 18 of February 2015, Ms. MEP Renate Weber was invited to visit two libraries in Sibiu county: the Avrig town library and local library in Marpod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents various opinios about the interaction between the young generation and new technologies,underlining the consequences upon youngsters' behaviour and attitudes. Many researchers and professors consider that the new generation has no attachment to the values of reading and learning and they reject everything in this matter. Professor Tapscott achieved an important survey upon the Net Generation which has grown up in the digital era. This generation wants liberty of expression and in every aspect of its life. They deal naturally with up-to-date technologies and include them in everyday life. Teaching has also changed a lot in the last decades and the new generation prefer to be active participants in the educational process. This generation full of resources and with its reflexes adjusted to the present speed and liberty can transform all the modern institutions and replace a culture of control with a culture of performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fifteenth Annual Conference of the Romanian National Association of Public Libraries and Librarians (RNAPLL) - BiblioNEXT, on "Public libraries - The Driving Force for the Sustainable Development of Communities" was held from the 8th to the 11th of October 2014. The program proposed to the participants was varied and comprised presentations given by librarians from Romanian public libraries. Thanks to the strategic partnership which led to the "Biblionet" project, the local communities were able to open up to modernity and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the last day of the Gaudeamus - Books for Learning International Book Fair, Radio Romania Cultural proposed, in the area devoted to debates - The Contacts Stock, a discussion on the situation of libraries attended by representatives of the Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest, Department of Documentation and Information Sciences, the "I.C. Petrescu" National Pedagogical Library, the National Library of Romania, and the Romanian Librarians' Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article completes the series of articles published on the occasion of the 65th anniversary since the first issue of the Library Journal. It represents Ioana Lupu's interview by the present editorial staff of the journal. Ioana Lupu was for more than 30 years the editor and editor-in-chief of the publication and "fought to save the Library Journal, often in danger, to make it better and to establish it among the prominent cultural publications". The text also presents the Romanian cultural and editorial atmosphere of the 1960s-1990s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Association of Librarians and Public Libraries in Romania (ANBPR) provides librarians with the second volume of an important work in the field of cataloging, professionally developed by Dr. Constanţa Dumitrăşconiu, entitled Unimarc Bibliographic Format in theory and practice: guide for cataloguers. The paper meets the requirements of the original format in English, updated in 2019, being an indispensable training and guidance resource for librarians newly entered in info-documentary structures, as well as a fundamental tool for consolidating the knowledge of experienced cataloguers. Volume 2 is structured in two parts: Part 1: Blocks 4-6 and Part 2: Update of blocks 2-3, 7 and the introductory parts published in volume 1 (2016). The theoretical part presents and comments on the rules of the format, being accompanied by examples, as much as possible searched / found / retrieved from the Romanian databases or identified in the databases of some large libraries abroad. The presentation of the information blocks continues in the manner similar to volume 1, respectively the presentation and commentary of the cataloging rules applied in the Unimarc bibliographic format, rules related to blocks 4-6. The guide is based on the author's work experience in systems that have applications of the Unimarc Bibliographic format, but also on the experience gained from the training of many librarians belonging to various library networks in Romania. The second volume of the Unimarc Bibliographic Format in theory and practice: a guide for cataloguers is useful and necessary for all those who work in activities of processing resources from any type of library in Romania and should not be missing from any reference collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interview with Prof. Mircea Regneală (born November 30th, 1943), a personality of Romanian librarianship, has as its starting point the books and people who have marked his destiny. The dialogue covers a series of evocations of personalities and situations that have influenced his career as a librarian and professor, as well as the projects and courses that he has coordinated. The interview is also an opportunity for readers to learn more about the Romanian library and university life before and after 1989. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article attempts recalling the personality of Ioan Bianu, whose name is linked both to the library science school of the Romanian Academy and the evolution of the Romanian library science. Ion Bianu attended the Faculty of Letters in Bucharest and also philology courses in Milan, Madrid, and Paris. Upon returning home in 1879, he was assigned the archivist-librarian position at the Academy Library. Even since that first year he showed interest for the organizing, inventorying and cataloguing of library collections, and began in the most observant and scientific manner his work of enriching the documentary fund of old manuscripts and books, an activity that required the joint efforts of an impressive number of people both in Romania and abroad. Starting with 1884 when Bianu received, in the plenary session of the Romanian Academy, the final confirmation of his librarian position and also of his position of director of the Library of the Romanian Academy (1884-1935), the stage of organization and development of the library based on scientific principles began. In 1894 he created the Plan for the National Bibliography, prepared according to the latest bibliographical principles and methods of that time. The first materialization of his bibliographic plan - which was divided into three categories: Old Romanian Books (from 1507 to 1830), Modern Romanian Books (after 1830), and Foreign Books relating to Romanians - was the preparation and publication of the Old Romanian Bibliography 1508-1830, with the collaboration of Nerva Hodoş (1903-1912 - tomes I, II, and fascicles 1 and 2 of tome III), followed by Dan Simonescu (tome III, fascicles 3-8, published in 1936, after Bianu's death). It was designed not only as a bibliographical guide of the Romanian books printed in the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries (1830), but also as a tool. As one of the most prominent representatives of Romanian philology, Ioan Bianu showed interest in the Romanian language spelling reform, contributing to spelling rules approved by the Romanian Academy in 1904. Professor Bianu, an example for current and future generations of librarians, genuinely served the profession, managing to take library science to a high scientific level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of the Library Journal - during its 65 years of existence between 1948 and 2013 -, addressed chronologically, is presented by the author in accordance with the evolution and development of the librarianship field and particularly following the historical stages of development of the Romanian society. Founded in July 1948, Călăuza bibliotecarului (Guide for Librarians, the first title of the Library Journal), "monthly bulletin to guide libraries and readers", was a publication which promoted the latest published works, translations of Soviet literature, and especially a repertoire of reports, resolutions, and party documents, which maintained, until December 1964, the propaganda-related quality - an "official" publication with clearly defined status and functions. However, starting with 1955, specialized materials and studies were published, authored by prominent librarianship specialists. During 1957-1965 a series of changes were reported (an editorial featuring issues related to the activity of Romanian libraries; articles were signed by personalities of the field). From January 1966 to December 1973, the journal was entitled Revista bibliotecilor (the Library Journal) and it had a monthly periodicity. The orientation and theme of the publication were diverse and a frame of a "new beginning" was shaped: the studies published were signed by important representatives of the old generation, but also by young specialists that were to contribute to the field in the coming years. During the period 1974-1989, under the title of Biblioteca: buletin trimestrial de biblioteconomie/bibliologie (Library: Librarianship/ Library Science Quarterly), the journal was published as a supplement to the "Îndrumătorul cultural" ("Cultural Guide", 1974-1980) and "Cîntarea României" ("Song of Praise to Romania", 1980-1989) cultural periodicals. Articles on general library-related topics were published - theoretical and practical aspects of organizing libraries, library techniques, organising catalogues, description of publications, and topics related to the history of books and libraries). After the events of December 1989, the publication freed itself from the "subcultural guardianship" and became a methodical publication under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, changing its name to Biblioteca: revistă de bibliologie şi ştiinţa informării (Library: Library and Information Science Journal). In 1992 an editorial office of the journal was founded in Chişinău. During 1996-2009, the journal went through a difficult stage both financially and from the organizational point of view. Since March 2009, it has been included in the National Library organizational chart and it became the specialized journal of the Romanian library system. It has covered topics of interest in librarianship and information science and addressed all types of Romanian libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the development of the journal "Biblioteca" and its 65th year anniversary in 2013. It mentions that the journal became the publication edited by the Ministry of Culture in 1955. It says that the journal distribution area was extended by the editorial staff in 1992. It adds that the collaborators of the journal are the representatives from the entire National Library System.

On November 22nd 2012, the series the Faculty of Letters Alumni Conferences was inaugurated. This was an initiative of the Faculty of Letters to mark 150 years of Romanian philological school at the University of Bucharest. The meeting gave the opportunity for students to meet with successful graduates and ask them questions related to their professional life (work experiences, institutions and specializations of common interest, professional models). Generally the series will be held by each specialization in the Faculty of Letters, as the current one was organized by the Student Center of Communication. Besides the participation of students and graduates of the "Documentation and Information Sciences" specialization, the guest speakers were conf. prof. dr. Elena Tîrziman, general manager of the National Library of Romania, dr. Robert Coravu, manager of the Electronic Resources - Publication Department, Romdidac S. A. and editor-in-chief of the Romanian Journal of Library and Information Science and the well-known literary critic, writer, editor, scenarist, and producer of cultural tv shows, Alex Ştefănescu. Today's issue continues with the second part of the discussions held during this meeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On November 22nd 2012, the series the Faculty of Letters Alumni Conferences was inaugurated. This was an initiative of the Faculty of Letters to mark 150 years of Romanian philological school at the University of Bucharest. The meeting gave the opportunity for students to meet with successful graduates and ask them questions related to their professional life (work experiences, institutions and specializations of common interest, professional models). Generally the series will be held by each specialization in the Faculty of Letters, as the current one was organized by the Student Center of Communication. Besides the participation of students and graduates of the "Documentation and Information Sciences" specialization, the guest speakers were conf. prof. dr. Elena Tîrziman, general manager of the National Library of Romania, dr. Robert Coravu, manager of the Electronic Resources - Publication Department, Romdidac S. A. and editor-in-chief of the Romanian Journal of Library and Information Science and the well-known literary critic, writer, editor, scenarist, and producer of cultural tv shows, Alex Ştefănescu. Univ. prof. dr. Emil Ionescu and conf. univ. dr. Cristina Popescu, vice-deans of the faculty, delivered the welcome speeches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The papers and communications of this year were meant to maintain extremely collegial dialogue with participants who focussed on librarianship topics in separate professional divisions: acquisition and collection development, communication and interlibrary loan, computerization, rare books/manuscripts/digitisation, statistics and evaluation, cataloguing-indexing, information literacy, library legislation and professional training, library pedagogical techniques, periodicals, references, preservation/conservation/restauration, documentarists. The participants also discussed about the school libraries and librarians, training, status of school librarians in the context of the new education law, namely transforming and restructuring their school libraries and documentation centers. One of the core elements of the conference stressed on the importance for each individual to gain skills in information literacy. Becoming engaged in using a wide variety of information sources in order to expand onseself knowledge, each individual has to ask informed questions, sharpen his/her critical thinking for still further self-directed learning. The conclusions from this year's conference underline the growing role of the professional organizations in setting up clear targets for the development of library services and products in an ever-changing knowledge society, and to adapt these infodocumentary structures to the more demanding information needs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Finnish National Repository Library (founded in 1989) is meant to be a repository to be shared by all libraries in Finland as the most economical way of storing library material. Thus the need for building space for library collections is decreased and can be controlled. Helsinki City Library is the largest public library in Finland; known as HelMet Library (Helsinki Metropolitan Area Library) it is the home library for the 559.000 residents of Helsinki and the Central Library of country's public libraries. Finland is recognised internationally as a forerunner in the library field. Finland is one of the few countries in the world which have strategic documents outlining library development. Finland is also internationally known for a comprehensive library network, high user and lending rates and use of ICT in libraries. The vast majority of Finns are regular library users; Finns visit a library 12 times a year on average. Library and information services promote equal access to education and culture; reading and art appreciation; constant development of knowledge; skills and citizenship skills; internationalisations; and lifelong learning. Libraries also contribute to the development of virtual and interactive web services and their educational and cultural content [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political independence of Finland meant a real start for the Finnish development of a municipal library system supported and controlled by the state, even if the central library was not established. The state administration of libraries and direct support for local libraries was organized in 1921. At the top of the system was the State Library Commission and under it the State Library Bureau; the organization also included regional library inspectors. The Library Law of 1928 had a positive effect on the Finnish public library system but soon the Law's flaws became apparent, such as great economic depression of the 1930's, during which state subsidies were cut. One of the most inspiring phenomena of the decade was the inauguration in 1935 of the Viipuri city library's ultra-modern functionalist building, designed by Alvar Aalto. Unfortunately, the Second World War broke out and ended the positive trend. For Finland the war started when the Soviet Union attacked the country in November 1939 and the "Winter War" began. After the three-and-a-half month war, a large part of Finland - Karelia - had to be ceded to the Soviet Union. The war was generally a negative time for libraries and the official loan statistics showed a decline. During the last months of the war, when Finland and Germany turned from allies to enemies, the retreating German army destroyed all the buildings and infrastructure in Lapland and and dozens of libraries were put to the ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given his kindness, Mr. Ion Onuc Nemeş, manager (2004-2011) of the Public County Library "ASTRA" Sibiu, has been offering to us an interview, an opportunity to get a glimpse to the most important moments in his career. His personality is revealed to us through a series of answers he had the courtesy to give. We find out that Mr. Nemeş has been a regular user of a library ever since his childhood. His early education has been influenced by ASTRA (The Transylvanian Association for Romanian Literature and the Culture of the Romanian People) of which importance as a cultural movement in Transylvania he has been aware of. Growing up in a Transylvanian village, Mr. Nemeş experienced the direct consequences of ASTRA applied program, i.e. cultural, economic and social emancipation. Therefore, he is connected to all areas of the librarianship, as a whole process. Nowadays, he is working on a study of ASTRA's libraries, an overview of what the Association meant for cultural and social emancipation, especially the for Romanians in Transylvania. Regarding the evaluation of the Romanian library system, training and expertise in librarianship, Mr. Nemeş thinks that specific training should follow a program that begins with the National Library of Romania and it shoud be continued in the local county libraries. We find out that Mr. Nemeş had and still has time for hobbies, i.e. writing, painting on glass, photography, mountain trips, choral activities related. In his opinion, his greatest achievement is an anthology of texts dedicated to Sibiu during eight centuries, Sibiu - Hermannstadt in Emotional Letters. The interview opens our appetite to learn more about the personality of our guest also representing an invitation to other personalities in the field. The opportunity to get a great sense of what his complex personality is build from it has been a fascinating and rewarding experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Researchers' Night event brought together the public at large and researchers. It occurs annually on the fourth Friday of September all over Europe (about 300 cities all over Europe). Its main objective is to reveal scientists and science in a relaxed and friendly ambiance. The Researchers' Night offers the opportunity to discover research facilities that are usually not open to public (laboratories, research centers, museum collections etc.), to use the most recent technologies and instruments with the guidance of scientists, to participate in experiments and interactive science shows, competitions and quizzes. Moreover, the public has the chance to watch demonstrations and simulations, exchange ideas and party with the researchers. On the 28th September, at the National Library of Romania and in several Romanian cities, anyone who wished could find himself exploring science in engaging ways, discovering what researchers really do and why does it matter for anyone's daily life. Researchers' Night 2012 was covered in over 220 publications worldwide and drawn the attention of both European and non-European media outlets. According to media coverage registered so far, 125 million Europeans have been made aware of the shows and performances organized during the night of 28 September, hold simultaneously in various European cities. During Researchers' Night, scientists from all disciplines took over public spaces - shopping malls, squares, historic monuments, parks, cafes, libraries and museums to show people of all ages how their work impacts on daily life. The public has been able to take part in experiments, join interactive science shows, visit usually restricted research laboratories and try out complex equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a member Worlddidac - World Association of publishers, producers and distributors of educational materials - ROMDIDAC has relationships with prestigious companies worldwide. Worlddidac is the global trade association for companies providing products for education and training at all levels. Worlddidac has currently 180 member companies and organizations from 43 countries on 5 continents. S.C. ROMDIDAC S.A. was founded in 1962 and since its establishment it functioned as the basis for supply and delivery of educational equipments to Romanian institutions at all levels. After 1990 there has been a diversification of activities and a special department is dealing exclusively by subscribing to foreign periodicals, online databases and CD-ROMs, import of technical and scientific books, with the beneficiaries over 85% of higher education institutions and scientific research. On 7th of September 2012, ROMDIDAC has celebrated 50 years in the service of the Romanian education and the Symposium 'Libraries and access to electronic information" was organized in cooperation with the National Library of Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celia has served the blind and partially sighted in Finland since 1890. The library service was set up by a society called Books for the Blind at the turn of the 19th century. Celia has been state-owned since 1978. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, ladies belonging to the wealthy educated class carried out various charitable deeds to help the disadvantaged. Celia was founded on 1st April 1890 by Cely Mechelin, the daughter of a Finnish senator, who was just 23 years old. Together with her friends, she wanted to open the treasure trove of literature to the blind. Cely Mechelin managed the library from when it was founded up until 1932. The library adopted the name Celia - Library for the Visually Impaired in 2001, in honour of its founder Cely (Cecilia) Mechelin. When ownership was transferred to the state in 1978, it meant an increase in resources for the library and a shift to the domain of public-sector decision-making. Along with this nationalisation, the library' services expanded to encompass other print disabilities such as dyslexia. Nowadays, Celia's operations are subject to the Finnish Act on the Library for the Visually Impaired as well as a Government Decree. In 2004, Celia moved to a brand-new building where the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired and other organisations have their offices. In 2007, the distribution method of talking books and Braille books was changed -when a talking or a Braille book is requested, a personal lending copy is produced which the patron discards or recycles after use. After the introduction of the on demand system, the number of loans increased enormously. The library has different types of books as well as other materials: Daisy talking books, books in Braille, electronic books, tactile and picture books, relief pictures and maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]