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Location
- Prizren, Kosova (UNMIK)

Population served
- 25,000

Implementer
- Xhilemajli Berisha Library and Cultural Centre

Co-Partner
- Municiaplity of Prizren

Primary local funder
- Ministry of Culture

Donors
- Swiss Development Cooperation Office
- UNDP
- CIDA

In-kind contributors
- Xhilemajli Berisha Library and Cultural Center (administration, organization, books)
- Local NGOs (materials, brochures, volunteers, organizational support)
- Next Page Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Tolmin Public Library, Tolmin, Slovenia

Operational
- Since 2003

Target Groups
- Children
- Young adults

Activities
- Readers services
- Lending service
- Reference services
- Educational information resources
- Preparing leaflets to distribute information on hygiene, nutrition, health, agriculture and animal husbandry, among other topics


Internet connectivity solution
- Microwave/satellite communications

APPROACH

The project began as a lending library to service the needs of children whose schools and materials had been destroyed during the war. Initial offerings included children’s literature and translations targeting mainly children. Magazines and newspapers are also on hand. As users become accustomed to the concept and its application, new services are being introduced. The entire range of information communication technologies remains to be developed.

BACKGROUND

The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has governed Kosova since June 1999, under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Transfer of administration of Ministry of Culture to the government of Kosova is underway.

During the war in Kosova, the countryside was heavily damaged, both with respect to victims and material losses. Many villages are inhabited with women, children and elderly people. Many libraries, especially in the countryside have been completely burnt down, others have had their collections removed or destroyed, and those which are still functioning, have not acquired new collections for almost 20 years.

The region of Prizren had 6 branches, out of which three remain after the war. The population in this municipality and the surrounding is about 15 percent of the population of Kosova. The remaining book collection in the Albanian language in these libraries is from 10 to 25 per cent. As the biggest percentage of readers are school children and students, there is a great need for reading books which are part of the curricula at schools as well as for professional literature for higher education.

The Internet, which is nowadays a common tool of free and fast access of knowledge and information, is an excellent way to attract young people, who tend to crowd in the few Internet clubs, which are more frequented than classrooms.

Traditionally, Kosova society puts a high value on collective life and collective social events. Therefore there is a need for a cultural and social focus in the new post-war environment of constant change and insecurity. People need a place to exchange their views and get new information, to gather and debate, and libraries are a very suitable place for serving this purpose. This is especially important for libraries in village schools, which usually are the only available place where some cultural life can take place.

Last update: October 2005