Novateca has periodically organized a series of experience exchange events for 8 raions from the Republic of Moldova: in Zaim public library, Căușeni (30 June 2015), Cricova public library, Chișinău (28 July 2015), Sărata Galbena public library, Hâncești (30 July 2015) and Tareuca public library, Rezina (6 August 2015). These professional experience exchange events, attended by 55 rural libraries from the raions of Căușeni - Ștefan Vodă, Chișinău - Anenii Noi, Hâncești - Ialoveni, Rezina – Șoldănești, willing to present their achievements and learn new things from others, had been special.

The purpose of these professional activities was to give the librarians a unique opportunity to learn more about the activity of the libraries in the Novateca network, about the new additional services implemented in other libraries, to meet libraries from other raions and villages, to learn from each other, to use information and acquired experience for developing and improving services, for diversifying and innovating activities, for modernizing libraries.

Public libraries presented their new services in a format that was new for them, in Power Point, an exercise done by the most of the librarians for the first time. Interested to promote their services, celebrate successes together with other colleagues, they’ve learned Power Point in one single day, others learned themselves with on-line tutorials, while some librarians enjoyed the support provided by trained and competent trainers. The presentations exceeded the expectations by far, nobody would have believed that it was their first time when they use this innovative format in their professional activity. The participants had to present a modern service, but none of them limited themselves to only one, which shows their openness, joy to share services, that they believe are very useful for their community members. Here are some of those:

• “Friday night movie theatre” (PL Brăila, Chișinău)
• “With internet and Duolingo it is easy to learn another language” (RPL Căușeni)
• “A message for the mayor and the police officer” (PL Zaim, Căușeni)
• “From the nation’s dowry chest” (PL Chircăiești, Ștefan Vodă)
• Club of older persons “Stories by the fireplace” (PL Sărata Galbenă, Hîncești)
• “Razeni women learn to promote traditions via internet” (PL Răzeni, Ialoveni)
• The Club “Kingdom of elves and wonders of the internet” (RPL Rezina)
• “Little craftsmen, Great IT experts” (PL Țareuca, Rezina)
• “The art of being grandparent-parent” (PL Pohoarna, Șoldănești)

Nina Munteanu, the director of the Public library from village Zaim, spotted a new idea and expresses her gratitude for this opportunity offered by Novateca: “I will implement a new service “Single ladies’ club”. I wish that this experience exchange does not stop here. I’ve presented the information in Power Point for the first time and it was a success”. Raion public library Căușeni has committed to implement a new service that was inspired from the PL Zaim “A message for the mayor”. Library users could write their impressions, wishes, constructive criticism, suggestions, comments and proposals on a large sheet of paper posted in a visible place in the library. To increase the number of the people who’d transmit something to the mayor, the library also launched an online version on the library’s Facebook page. The collected messages are transmitted to the mayor, hoping that he would positively regard the proposals, so that those people who wrote them can be convinced that this way they participate in local governance.

The organizers and the participants were convinced that such events – sharing of ideas, learning about the activities organized by the libraries from first source, getting to know the librarians from other villages and raions lead to a greater number of services for different community groups, to more efficient promotion of libraries in the community, actions that would, definitely, attract many more users.

Other six experience exchange events are planned for September – November in 12 raions of the Republic of Moldova.