The Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation was founded in 2013 as a non-profit organization in public interest. Its board members are the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, the “13 Centuries Bulgaria” National Endowment Fund, the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Library and Information Association and the National Chitalishte Union. The foundation is a successor to the “Bulgarian Libraries – Place for Access to Information and Communication for All” Program which was implemented in Bulgaria in 2009 – 2013 with funding by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA.
The Mission of the Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation is to contribute to the inclusion of Bulgarian citizens in the global digital community, to raise their quality of life and to promote civic participation. GLBF works with network of 1008 public libraries in Bulgaria to provide free access to computers, Internet and information for all.
The Foundation works towards the following goals:
- Creating conditions for free and equal access to information, Internet and electronic services for citizens;
- Promoting information literacy, life-long learning, civic participation, social cohesion, local and community development;
- Contributing to social integration of underprivileged groups, equal opportunities for education and healthcare for all citizens through improved access to information;
- Contributing to the development of public libraries;
- Promoting intercultural dialogue and international contacts.
