The Novateca Program and the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) signed today a memorandum of understanding initiating bilateral cooperation with public libraries in the field of intellectual property protection.
Through this memorandum, librarians in Moldova will be trained by AGEPI trainers to meet the current needs of informing communities about intellectual property rights. In addition, librarians will receive information materials for public dissemination and libraries will host events to promote information on intellectual property.
“Public libraries are ideal platforms for delivering messages to communities in Moldova”, said Novateca Program director Evan Tracz at the meeting. “This collaboration gives us the best prospects for providing Moldovan librarians with new training opportunities for the innovation and diversification of library services and the sustainable development of the sector.”
The Novateca Program, financed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in cooperation with USAID and administered by IREX has been implemented in the Republic of Moldova for the past two years, time in which it has worked with 68 public libraries from 12 raions to increase public access to internet and public services and to enable librarians and local public authorities to better serve community needs. In these two years, over 300 computers and accessories have been donated to public libraries through the program and 250 librarians were trained to use modern information technologies and to develop new library services.
The AGEPI director, Lilia Bolocan, reaffirmed its commitment to support the Novateca Program and modernize libraries and noted that the agency will take advantage of every opportunity to work with public libraries to facilitate public access to information tools and intellectual property literature.
The Novateca Program director also mentioned that the Novateca Program is currently at the stage of signing the agreement for extending the program nationwide. With the expansion of the program, almost every public library will be eligible for modernizing both their infrastructure and as well as their ways of interacting with communities. This will lead to a stronger platform and network of public libraries which will aid AGEPI and other partners in delivering messages and content to the communities of Moldova.
The State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) is the specialized governmental body invested with the right to grant the protection of intellectual property objects. More details about AGEPI can be found by visiting www.agepi.md.
