On September 15, librarians from all over the country gathered at the National Library of Belarus to celebrate a professional holiday, the Libraries Day, relax in the company of colleagues and like-minded people, and get the attention they deserve.
High-ranking guests from ministries and departments came today to share the joy of the occasion and to reward the best of the best for their professionalism and dedication to librarianship.
Halouchanka, Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, expressed his congratulations. In his welcoming speech, Raman Halouchanka thanked the librarians for their dedication to a noble and important cause, stressing that the work of libraries is always aimed at strengthening the spiritual, cultural and moral values of the society and the successes achieved by Belarusian libraries in promoting books and reading are the work of professionals.
The Prime Minister awarded the National Library of Belarus a Certificate of Honour of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus for many years of productive work to preserve and promote the national historical and cultural heritage and to make a considerable contribution to the development of librarianship. He also presented a 100,000 roubles certificate to purchase a planetary scanner for the National Electronic Library and the State Register of Book Monuments of the Republic of Belarus.
A letter of acknowledgement of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus for fruitful work over many years, high professionalism and personal contribution to the development of librarianship was presented to Ms Tamara Hlazkova, Head of the Common Reading Room of the M. Gorky Brest Regional Library, Ms Maryna Ihnatovich, Director of Ja. F. Karski Hrodna Regional Scientific Library, and Ms Aliena Maksimovich, Director of the Chavusy Library Network.
On the occasion of the professional day, the National Library of Belarus received a valuable gift from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus: Ms Volha Dalhapolava, Deputy Head of the Russian Department, presented to the library a rare edition of the "The Governing Crosier", the most famous printed book of the 17th century, the most famous work of Simiaon of Polack, a statesman, church and cultural figure of Belarus and Russia.
Ms Aksana Lisiankova, Head of the Human Resources Department and State Awards of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, expressed her warm congratulations. The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus honoured the Salihorsk District Central Library with a Letter of Acknowledgement for many years of fruitful activity and considerable contribution to the development of librarianship. For many years of diligent work and high professionalism, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus awarded Ms Tatsiana Dziemidzienka, Librarian of the Art Literature Department of the Homiel Regional Universal Library. The diploma of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus for many years of fruitful work and significant personal contribution to the popularization of national culture was awarded to Natalja Nikitsina, Head of the Department of 1-5 Grades Students Service of the V. I. Lenin Homiel. Regional Universal Library. Mr Alieh Ananjieu, Head of the Art Literature Department of the Homiel Regional Universal Library, has been awarded the badge of the Belarusian Ministry of Culture "For Contribution to the Development of Belarusian Culture" for his considerable personal contribution to Belarusian culture and art.
Mr Uladzimir Kulazhenka, Chairperson of the Belarusian Library Association and Director of the Fundamental Library of the Belarusian State University, congratulated the colleagues and awarded Ms Liudmila Shuhajieva, head of Children's Library No 3 of the Centralized System of Children's Libraries of Minsk, and Mr Uladzimir Saroka, honoured worker of culture, veteran of librarianship, Certificates of Merit of the Belarusian Library Association for long fruitful work and considerable personal contribution to the formation and development of the Belarusian librarian system.
Ms Stelmakh, First Deputy Chairperson of the Union of Writers of Belarus, cordially congratulated the country's librarians. Ms Aksana Drachan, Director of the Uzda Central Library after P. Trus, and the teams of the Sluck District Central Library and the Centralized System of Children's Libraries of Minsk were awarded Letters of Acknowledgement from the Union of Writers of Belarus for high professionalism in the promotion of Belarusian literature.
As part of the event, an award ceremony was held for the winners of the 19th National Contest "Library as the Centre of National Culture". Today the contest is not only a confirmation of the individuality and exclusivity of libraries, a demonstration of achievements but also an exchange of experience, self-assessment, opening up new horizons, attracting new users, an incentive for creativity and professional growth. 24 public libraries became winners in four nominations: "For the support and development of reading", "For a significant contribution to educating the younger generation", "For preconception study and research" and "For innovations in the field of librarianship". The results of the contest "Library as the Centre of National Culture" can be found here.
In the foyer of the conference hall, an exhibition of contest works showing the projects and promotional and informational products was prepared for the event. These materials expressively demonstrate how the potential of libraries' work in reviving national culture, history, literature, language, folklore and ethnographic heritage is being realised.
For Libraries Day , the concert program was prepared by Alieh Siamionau and the vocal and instrumental ensemble "Vierasy".
The day turned out to be bright and joyful, full of pleasant moments and gifts.
Dear Colleagues, we sincerely congratulate you on your high awards, thank you for your enthusiasm and love for the profession. We wish you success and new work victories!
Public Relations Department
