site.btaUS Congressional Delegation Visits Bulgaria's National Library

A delegation from the United States Congress visited the St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library on Monday. Library Director Assoc. Prof. Kalina Ivanova presented the history and collections of Bulgaria's largest public library, saying that its holdings comprise nearly 9 million items, including books, manuscripts, archives, maps and photographs, with collections of both European and global significance.

The delegation was led by Mike Platt, Staff Director of the Committee on House Administration, and Courtney Cochran, Member Services Director for the House Democratic Whip. The visit took place in connection with the delegation's participation in a Congressional Office of International Leadership exchange programme focused on cooperation between Bulgarian and American citizens regarding disaster response.

Discussions with Ivanova also addressed the digitization of documents. Elliot Smith, Director of Oversight for the Committee on House Administration, who oversees services to Members of Congress from the Library of Congress, raised questions regarding the relationship between the National Library and the Library of Congress, as well as public access to the library's holdings. Ivanova noted the regular exchange of publications between the two institutions and explained that readers receive complimentary library cards.

The delegation was shown manuscripts and early printed books of historical and artistic value by Assoc. Prof. Hristiyan Atanasov, Chief Archivist of the Oriental Collections Department.

Guests concluded their visit by signing the National Library's Distinguished Visitors' Book, which has been preserved since 1953.