Today the Ministry of Culture and the Novateca program announced the raions selected to join the Novateca network in the first round of its national phase. In this selection round, over 350 public libraries will be equipped with more than 1000 computers for ensuring public access to the internet, and up to 800 librarians will receive trainings in IT and the development of new library services.

The selected raions include: Anenii Noi, Bălți municipality, Briceni, Cahul, Călărași, Causeni, Chișinău municipality, Edineț, Fălești, Hîncești, Ialoveni, Orhei, Rezina, Șoldănești, Ștefan-Vodă, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenești and Ungheni. Each raion proposed up to thirty village libraries to be included in their raion networks, the final list of which will be determined in coming weeks, as the Novateca program and raion libraries assess their readiness.

Thirty-one raion libraries and 645 village libraries submitted applications for the first national program selection process, each demonstrating commitment from local administrations eager to bring change to libraries and communities. The finalist raions were selected based on evaluations conducted by an independent selection committee composed of a diverse range of library stakeholders, as well as verification visits to applicant libraries.

Beginning with middle of July, Novateca will provide training courses for raion library staff as well as begin delivery of computer equipment. By the end of 2014, participating Moldovan public libraries will be equipped with computers, software, and peripheral equipment to enable them to offer a full range of IT and related services to community members.

Earlier this year, the Novateca program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in cooperation with USAID, and implemented by IREX Moldova, transitioned from a pilot to a national program. Over the next five years, Novateca plans to equip up to 1,000 public libraries and train more than 1,500 librarians, facilitating the transformation of these institutions into vibrant community centers that will help improve the quality of life for citizens throughout Moldova. Novateca will continue to expand the network as more libraries become ready, and will launch the next library selection process in September 2014.

For more information about Novateca please contact: Tatiana Rusu, Communications Specialist, Mob. +373 68 76 26 20, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our www.novateca.md and www.facebook/novateca