Lyuben Karavelov Regional Library, Bulgaria

Impact Assessment Results

Impact study results, January 2013: high resolution | low resolution [PDF]

Library helps motivates long-term unemployed to seek jobs

‘The library changed attitudes of the unemployed to job-hunting, and their self-confidence grew. The trainees have qualities and skills that are valued by employers. Our co-operation with the library has been very useful. We will definitely support further activities!’ – Sonya Kamenovska, Bulgarian Employment Agency.

In less than a year, Lyuben Karavelov Public Library in Ruse, Bulgaria, helped 44 long-term unemployed people find work.

Launched in November 2011 with a grant from EIFL’s Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP), the Knowledge for New Opportunities for Work (KNOW) programme, trained 68 long-term unemployed people, who are now more employable, more confident and motivated, and feel less excluded.

These are results of impact assessment conducted by the library in November 2012. To read more, see the Library’s Impact Study Results, presented here.

Previous project updates:

Public library employment service brings hope for the over 40s

Background to KNOW

Serving a community need

Bulgaria has the third highest rate of unemployment among European Union (EU) countries (statistics from Eurostat, the statistics office of the EU, 2010). According to the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, inadequate computer skills, lack of access to computers, poor motivation and inability to pay for training are among the main reasons why people are unemployed. In the Ruse region, significant numbers of unemployed people are over 40. The Ruse Regional Employment Service Directorate reports that there are 4,650 unemployed people aged over 40. Of these, over 70% are long-term unemployed.

The new service
Lyuben Karavelov Regional Library’s Knowledge for New Opportunities for Work (KNOW) service works with long-term unemployed people aged over 40. The service builds confidence, provides training in computer, Internet and job-seeking skills, and motivates the unemployed to seek work. Job-seekers will also have access to counsellors and psychological support through the library’s partner organizations.

Working together
The library will work in close collaboration with the National Employment Agency, the Ruse Regional Employment Service Directorate and the Labour Office Directorate-Ruse. These agencies will assist with location and recruitment of trainees, as well as identifying job-opportunities. Trainers from the Ruse Training Centre for Technical and Scientific Creativity will provide computer training. Glob@L Libraries Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Library and Information Association will provide consultation support as the service develops.

Replication of a successful service
KNOW replicates the award-winning ‘Creative Minds Create Job Opportunities service’ of Public Library Braka Miladinovci, in Radovis, Macedonia. Read more about Creative Minds Create Job Opportunities.

To learn more about this project, contact:

Silva Vasileva or Reneta Konstantinova
Ljuben Karavelov Regional Library
1 Dondukov-Korsakov str
7000 Ruse, Bulgaria

Tel: +359 888 983 625 (Silva Vasileva)
Tel: +359 878 574 916 (Reneta Konstantinova)
e-mail: deputy@libruse.bg (Silva Vasileva)
e-mail: service@libruse.bg (Reneta Konstantinova)

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