Meet Spaska Tarandova from Bulgaria

 

Spaska Tarandova from Bulgaria is also seeking election to the PLS Standing Committee. Spaska has taken time to answer our question on why you should vote for her.

 

 

 

Name: Spaska Tarandova
Institution: Bulgarian Library and Information Association, Board Member Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation, Executive Director
Country: Bulgaria

What experience will you bring to the role of Standing Committee Member?
I have been working in the library field for more than 26 years, most of them at Sofia City Library, including as a Deputy Director for 5 years. In the period 2011 – 2013, I was actively involved in the “Global Libraries – Bulgaria” program both as a manager at Sofia City Library and as a trainer in library management, advocacy, fundraising and project management.  Since 2015, I have been serving as an Executive Director of the Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation (GLBF) that works with network of 960 public libraries in Bulgaria to provide free access to computers, Internet and information for all. I am well-acquainted with the organization and the activities of public libraries in Bulgaria.

My knowledge and understanding of public libraries has been enriched through my participation in two significant international programs. In 2011 I joined colleagues from different countries in the “Librarians of Tomorrow: Communication and Leadership” program at the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2012-2015 I was the Bulgarian participant in the International Network of Emerging Library Innovators (INELI), sponsored by Gates Foundation.

I am an active member of the Bulgarian Library and Information Association, and since 2012 I have been on the Board of the Association. In this capacity, I am communicating with government and non-government organizations, as well as with related library and cultural institutions at home and abroad. I often speak and present at conferences and give interviews for Bulgarian media. I have been among the organizers of a number of nationwide libraries and reading related programs, incl. the “Read with Me” campaign under the high patronage of the Bulgarian president.

I believe that my knowledge of the public libraries agenda, my international experience and contacts with librarians worldwide, as well as my work at the Bulgarian Library and Information Association will help me contribute actively and meaningfully to the work of the Section.