Държавата и нейната подкрепа за културата и библиотечно-информационния сектор. Случва ли се нещо с нормативната уредба и произтичащите от нея политики за обществените библиотеки в България?
The state and its support for culture and library-information sector. What developments follow the current legislation and the policies that ensue for public libraries?

Summary/Abstract: The paper examines a field of importance for Bulgarian libraries, namely to what extent does the state have a responsibility towards the sector of culture, and in particular the sector of libraries. The issues considered are given at the background of various approaches concerning state support in separate countries. An analysis of the forms of support for public libraries in Bulgaria from 1989 to the present is carried out on this basis. The analysis takes into account studies and evaluations of the state of the legal basis for libraries for the period. The emphasis is on the Public Libraries Act, adopted in 2009 and policies which stemmed after its adoption. A critical assessment is made on the state of public libraries as an outcome of the absence of clarity and continuity in the application of purposeful state policies and strategies. The result of this absence of such intentions and steps has led to a very serious lagging behind in public libraries. This in turn does not provide a satisfactory library-information service for the public compared with current tendencies. One has the unpleasant feeling of a breach of democratic principles of access to information to large groups of the population. The questions in the study fall into two sections and present matters in the course of their development. Regulation models and management of the library-information sector. The political changes which were carried out after 1989 led to a transformation of the social model in Bulgaria. The new conditions brought qualitative changes in legislation in all fields. This took place in economic conditions, the economy going through a serious crisis, accompanied with drastic problems in various social sectors, activities, institutions affecting the population as a whole. Culture, education and science were among the spheres affected above all. Libraries falling in the context of these sectors were decisive as structures affecting public interest, considering that 5000 libraries were closed. In particular in the case of libraries the absence of an adequate Government policy, resulted in a sharp decline in their information potential and resources, hence a loss on trust towards them, reflecting their social role and use. During the years of transition kind of censorship emerged – that of financial censorship, due to scant funding for the maintenance and development of library-information resources, as well the lack of understanding of the need to provide the necessary library- information services and services for the population. A similar phenomenon in conditions of change should not have been allowed, as it is in direct contrast with the ideas of a democratic society. The author shares the view that one of the fundamental factors and causes for such unfavorable development of processes in the library sector is the absence of a strategy and policy by the state neither in a short-term period nor in a long term period. Good international models show that that the state need not abandon its part in exercising its influence and influence in the field of culture and in particular in the library sector. H. Chartrand’s and McCaughey’s models of possible approaches of regulation of the processes by the state, connected with the development of culture, namely Engineer, the Franco-Italian-German Architect, the British Patron, Catalysеr, characteristic for the U.S.A. The models are also to a certain degree valid in the sphere of the library-information sector. The articles outlines three other models, characterizing information policy. They are to be found in legislation, subsidies and support for the library and information sector. The first is characteristic for EU member states, and presupposes active Government participation and regulation. The support is in the context of general policies and EU program platforms. Today it is to be found within initiatives and ideas defining structures such as the Europe 2020 Strategy – digital society, education, competition; the Horizon programme etc. The second model is characteristic for the U.S.A. and elsewhere. It is more liberal, with less or „invisible“ state regulation. As a result the third is very successful, and can be defined as the model of „chaos“. Declared policies and action by the state are absent. A key element for the successful development of libraries, library networks and services is largely the existing library legislation in the respective country. The European Union realizes the significance of the suitable and adequate library legislation. Beyond common politics, the EU states, depending on their understanding of the significance of libraries and information, traditions and attitudes towards the library sector, carry out their own policy within their own legal framework and financial framework. Policies and legal regulation of the library sector in Bulgaria. On the ground of the international tendencies presented and comparing them with Bulgarian experience in the Library sector I would like to note the following. Throughout the years of transition we ran into the phenomenon of variety of models or rather an absence of any model, policy and responsible attitude towards legal regulation of libraries, their activities in the fulfillment of their social mission. This was particularly characteristic for the first 10-12 years after the changes. The absence of a stand, which would be reflected in rules and laws, became the reason for the closing down of good libraries; the absence of declared state policy and strategy and strategies towards libraries; a drastic fall in their funding and development; the slow adoption of new information and communication technologies; unclear statutes, responsibilities and tasks before libraries; disruption of the possibilities of co-operation between libraries and their work within networks; the absence of requirements for an educational level qualifications of librarians etc. Another serious shortcoming is the fact that the number of new Acts passed which concern libraries and their main activities, do not defend their status and funding, or the regulations concerning them are incomplete. Over the passed twenty two years the library community in its professional association – the Bulgarian Library-Information Association (BLIA) has on many occasions made serious efforts to draw the attention of institutions for a change of this unfortunate situation. On three occasions the Association has initiated drafts for Library Acts – in 1993, 1997 and 2006. The last step of BLIA was the drawing up of legislation for libraries was the Legal Regulation for Libraries and Library and Information Activities in Bulgaria Project, which began in 2006, jointly with the Ministry of Culture and the British Council in Bulgaria. The main of the project was the create a packet of legal documents for libraries, harmonized with European directives which would constitute prerequisites for the full realization of the main mission of libraries as educational, cultural, informational and social institutions. The final result was the draft Act for Public Libraries (there are about 4000 public libraries in the countries). The draft Act was passed by the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria in 2009. Both during its preparation and creation of other documents directives and recommendations of the Council of Europe were taken into account. Underling it are ideas adopted by IFLA and UNESCO as well as library institutions of leading countries. Analyses and comparisons of legislation and standards of libraries of over 25 countries were drawn, together with Bulgarian experience and traditions. The Act puts forth political course for the following: A contemporary definition of the main functions of the kinds of public libraries as cultural, educational, information and social institutes , entrusted with the task to present a broad spectrum of library-information services such as gathering, storing, processing, systematizing and Providing to the public of printed and other documents and information. The emphasis is on equal and free access of citizens to the basics services. The building up of a new type relationship between different types of public libraries through the creation of a National network public libraries.

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