Interview: Galina Agafiţa, Călăraşi Raion Library Director, on working as a librarian and the partnership with the Moldovan Society of the Blind

Novateca invites you to better get to know Moldovan librarians. The following interview is with Galina Agafița, Director of Călărași Raion Public Library who is proactive and initiates partnerships that help develop new services at the library.

This is what she told us:

1. Mrs. Galina Agafiţa, how long have you been working as a librarian?

Galina Agafița: I have worked as a librarian since 1970, since graduating from Moldova State University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Library and Information Science. I have been working at the Raion Public Library “Grigore Vieru” in Călăraşi since 1981, and I have served as the director of the library for sixteen years.

2. What is the difference between the library of today, which is equipped with computers, and the library of yesterday?

Galina Agafița: Information technologies are the product of modernization and facilitating user access to the computers in a library is more than appropriate, it is necessary! In recent years we have managed to create a new image of our institution within society. The library has participated in many activities and community service projects, its premises were modernized, and its services have been diversified. Today, we offer fast and free access to information, online communication options, we contribute to the circulation of ideas, the exchange of documents and information, we facilitate the development of skills in IT, and we provide new information services and trainings, etc. For example, our library has developed an information service for people who are looking for a job, which means that we provide free trainings on how to use computers and the Internet, we help students find information for their homework and much more. Recently, we have implemented a training service, information and socialization for people with visual impairments. In this way, today’s library differs a great deal from yesterday’s library.

3. Tell us about the partnership between the library and the Moldovan Society of the Blind and about the course of IT literacy for people with visual impairments, launched through this partnership. How did the idea of this partnership emerge and who took the initiative?

Galina Agafița: An unknown author said that a person who demands nothing, deserves everything. I would add that a person that asks for less receives more. At the end of January, the president of the Călăraşi Regional Office of the Moldovan Society of the Blind (MSB), Vasile Carp, was desperately seeking a space to organize a training course in IT for people with visual impairments. Our library was receptive, offering him more than he needed: room, equipment, Internet etc. This is the way partnerships are built. I contacted the management of the Society of the Blind, Sclifos Dumitru, the president, Larisa Celan, vice-president and Nicolae Ciobanu, main specialist. We exchanged information and ideas on the development of the partnership.

The first service launched through this partnership is the training available due to a special software installed by George Staver, trainer of the Society of the Blind. The course was organized on 2 - 13 February, 2015, for 12 people with visual impairments, who were supported by trainers of the Training Center of the Raion Public Library, Natalia Veleşca and Ana Lipcan. The inauguration was attended by Larisa Celan, vice-president of the Society of the Blind, Vasile Timofte, vice-president of the raion, Nicolae Melnic, the mayor of Călăraşi town, Dumitru Trifan, head of Culture Department, and Vasile Carp, president of the Călăraşi Regional Office of the Moldovan Society of the Blind.

This initiative was followed by another idea - to open a department of literature with resources in Braille script and audio materials for people with visual impairments. The inauguration of the department took place on 13 February. During the event, the National Centre of Information and Rehabilitation of the Moldovan Society of the Blind offered the Călărași Raion Public Library 46 books in Braille script and audio resources. Similarly, a partnership agreement was signed and the persons who attended the course received certificates.

The event was attended by Svetlana Arhire, President of the Ungheni Office of the MSB, Vasile Timofte, vice-president of the raion and the special guest, Evan Tracz, Novateca program Director. The event culminated with a concert presented by the amateur artists of the Străşeni Office of the MSB, president Ecaterina Mârza, artistic director Anatol Şaptefraţi and pupils of the School of Arts from Călărași. We are committed to ensuring the sustainability of this partnership.

4. What were the steps you took to make this partnership possible? Have the local public authorities supported the library in these activities?

Galina Agafița: We took simple, but firm steps: total openness to new partnerships and effective communication. Local public authorities fully supported the idea of this partnership. The library benefited from the support of the Călărași Town Hall, which offered free accommodation for the trainer of the MSB throughout the IT training for visually impaired.

5. How did the community react, especially the people with visual impairments, when they found out that the Călărași Raion Public Library offers such trainings?

Galina Agafița: Peter, a 19 year old young man from the United States said: "I do not consider that being blind is a handicap, on the contrary, it is a blessing. Yellow, red, or green are meaningless to me, I cannot see how one is dressed or how he/she looks like, but I can guess his/her personality, I can get to know a person faster and better, unlike an ordinary person. Yes, I am blind, my eyes cannot see, but I can see with other senses." In the context of this testimony, I can say that those present at the inauguration of the training course witnessed our noble intentions, that we wanted to offer them more than they hoped for. They felt as if they were part of the society and were glad that they have the possibility to use computers, thus, they have access to a new world where they can develop and share their interests and ideas.

6. What would you recommend to library directors from other raions who would like to implement similar services in their libraries?

Galina Agafița: This is a service that is useful for the community. The implementation of such services in other libraries will bring benefits to everyone, making us stronger and bringing out the best in all of us. I urge everyone to visit libraries more often, even those who are reluctant to do so. Someone said: Do things better than me! The words teach you, examples help you set your ideas in motion!

7. What is the biggest challenge in transforming your library?

Galina Agafița: The biggest challenge was the process of modernizing the local libraries from the raion that were selected to join Novateca network. The process of modernization necessitated equipping the library with computers, having trained staff, renovated rooms, heating and furniture, and providing new services etc. Novateca requirements are a chance to improve the image of the library through the activities it carries out. This also gives us the chance, me as well as to my colleagues, to demonstrate our experience and abilities from another angle and to keep improving our ideas.

8. What do you find the most fascinating about your work?

Galina Agafița: I am fascinated about the fact that I can communicate and collaborate with people, that I am able to sense their needs and aspirations, by creating opportunities for everyone. When you see the look full of gratitude, a smile, a handshake, a "thank you" from partners and users, a story on the radio, TV, an article in the newspaper, these all are signs of appreciation for our work and effort, thing that makes me more self-confident and inspires me with new ideas.