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ADDRESS:
4a Slaveykov Square
Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
e-mail:libsofia_acc@yahoo.com
Phone: +359 2 987 1619,
+359 2 8015 973
Contacts: Kameliya Koneva
Diana Velkova
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LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday, Tuesday 8:30 am – 6:45 pm
Wednesday 12:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Thursday, Friday 8:30 am – 6:45 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 2:45 pm |
History milestones
2007 - Official opening and first steps
- June 12, 2007 - Opening of the American Children's Corner
- Launch of the first two programs: "American Holidays" and "Drama class."
2008 - Renovation and opening of the new 300 sq. m. site
- April 23, 2008 - Opening of the new American Corner
- Merger of the library colections from the Children's Corner and the former American Studies Collection of the U.S. Embassy library.
- Further enrichment of the library collections with new materials.
- Addition of new library programs.
2009 - Current development and progress
- Higher number of visitors /2008 - 1,460; as of June 2009 - 1,850/.
- Higher number of participants at the events hosted by the Center /Over 2,500 persons in January - June /.
Our goals
- Provide up to date and reliable information about the U.S. to Bulgarians.
- Promote cultural conections between U.S. and Bulgaria.
- Become a model/mentor for Bulgarian public libraries, applying best practices from the American libraries.
Membership
Priority Groups:
- English teachers from schools and universities;
- Students from local English schools;
- University students;
- People who study English;
- People who know English;
- People who are interested in American life and culture;
American Corner is open to all members of the Sofia City Library.
Local teachers may bring groups of students for a tour of the Corner or for a program - Sofia City Library membership is not required for those visits.
Services we provide
- Reference service based on our Americana collection and close collaboration with the Information Resource Center of the U. S. Embassy.
- Free access to computers and the Internet.
- Borrowing of library materials.
- Photocopying, printing, scanning.
- Varied programs designed for people of all ages.
- Programs organized by the U.S. Embassy in Sofia.
- Cultural and educational programs of other U.S. - related organizations.
Rules for borrowing of materials
- Members can borrow up to 10 items for a period of one month.
- Materials can be renewed for another term by e-mail or phone. On the day the materials are due back, send a message to libsofia_acc@yahoo.com with the borrower's name or call 8015 973. You will receive confirmation with the new date. If there is an existing hold for the borrowed materials you will be asked to return them within 5 days.
- If a book is not available, members may request it and it will be reserved for one week after it becomes available at the library.
- Reference books and books marked "Library use only" cannot be borrowed.
- Periodicals can be borrowed except for the most recent issue.
Using Computers
- Members can use computers on a first come basis for 1 hour per day.
- If all computers are busy, the member will receive a ticket which will assign a specific computer and the time it will be available. The computer will be reserved for 5 minutes.
- Viewing pornographic sites is strictly prohibited.
- Saving personal files on the computers is not allowed.
- Children less than 12 years old need a written permission from a parent or guardian with information if he/she forbids some sites to be viewed by the child.
- The librarian controls observing the rules.
Our successful programs
Our programs are desigend to combine learning and having fun.
- American Holidays Program
This program includes a number of initiatives connected with official American holidays, special days and months. Examples: Thanksgiving party, Halloween party, Mother's Day Tea party, Christmas crafts, St. Valentine crafts, Columbus Day competition, Arbor Day gardening, African American Month exhibit and Essay contest, Native American Month event, Earth Day contest, Presidents Day exhibit and event.
- Summer Reading Program /tradition at American Libraries/
This is an annual program that brings children into the Corner for reading and activities on a specific theme. With literacy-enhancing programs, creative arts and many awards, it is a fun for everyone! Some of the previous themes were "American Indians"/2008/ and "Space" /2009/.
Journalism Workshops /2009/
Those workshops are accomplished in colaboration with the Bulgarian NGO ''St. Ioan Rilsky''. At these workshops students get journalism skills and study about famous Americans and American culture. Some of the recent themes were: Martin Luter King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, The role of Americans Eugene Schuyler and Januarius MacGahan in Bulgarian history.
- Computer and Internet literacy for senior citizens /2009/
It is a tutorial program designed for senior citizens that are least likely to use computer technology, but would like to benefit from the possibilities to communicate better with other people. Users are taught to work with Microsoft Word, use search engines and communicate via e-mail.
- Conversational English groups /2009/
They are designed for people looking for opportunities to practice their conversational English and include book discussions and video projections.
We are looking for volunteers who are native English speakers.
- Teaching through theatre
It is believed that while acting children may learn English and get a better understanding of the American literary works.
Our theatre projects were: a regular "Drama class" /2007 - 2008/; "The Heroes of Mark Twain and Lyman Frank Baum'' in collaboration with three secondary schools /2009/; and a Theatre workshop "A Most Extraordinary Tail" /summer 2009/.
- Contests
They are very popular for students of all ages and usually attract a lot of participants.
Our recent themes were: "Civilization and violence are antithetical concepts" dedicated to the Martin Luther King Day and the Black History Month 2009; and "Bright Ideas for a Green Planet" dedicated to Earth Day 2009.
- Other programs: Book discussions, Video projections, Art workshops, Exhibits.
Partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Sofia
That includes a reference service to Bulgarian citizens with the support of the Embassy Information Resource Center and cultural and educational programs like: speaker programs; exhibits; book presentations; concerts; and films.
Hosting of special events
We host events that correspond to our goals and present the United States and American-Bulgarian relations to the public
Most popular events:
- International Education Youth Exchange and Study Program testing days;
- First Scrabble Tournament;
- Finals of the National Public Speaking Competition;
- Children Safety on the Internet campaign event;
- AmBul Festival of American and Bulgarian Music
Volunteers
- Our programs are staffed mainly by volunteers.
- Everyone who has an interest in volunteering at the American Corner should fill a Volunteer job application.
- Our volunteers are teachers, high school and university students, Fulbrighters, members of nonprofit organizations, young people who have lived abroad, retirees.
- The volunteers receive a "Thank you" letter.
We always welcome new volunteers!
Our partners
- American Chamber of Commerce www.amcham.bg/
- America for Bulgaria Foundation www.americaforbulgaria.org
- American Foundation for Bulgaria http://bg.afbulgaria.org/
- Elizabeth Kostova Foundation www.ekf.bg
- Fulbright www.fulbright.bg
- NGO ''St. Ioan Rilski''
- American Councils for International Education www.americancouncils.org
- BLIA - Bulgarian Library and Information Association www.lib.bg
- AmBul Festival of American and Bulgarian Music http://www.ambulfestival.com/
- Bulgarian Indian Society "Eagle Circle" http://www.eaglecircle.org/indexeng/
