Novateca – Global Libraries Moldova AID-117-G-12-00001 GDA with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation February 2012 – January 2019 FY2018 – Annual Report: October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018 Graduates of the Library Innovators Leadership Initiative organized an outdoor modern library services event to promote the redefined role of libraries in communities across Moldova. Submitted 16 October 2018 I- Novateca Handoff Plan International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) AID-117-G-12-00001 Novateca Handoff Plan Local Public Authorities Action Institution Status Support to Public Local Public LPAs have been partners of public libraries in Moldova Libraries in terms of: Authorities since the beginning of the program. LPAs were part of equipment needs, the results of the program, events and exchanges building improvements enabling them to become better advocates and and others supporters of public libraries. Since the beginning of the program, LPAs have responded favorably, investing $504,200 in library infrastructure improvements, modern technology and informational resources. Central Government Action Institution Status Transfer of the E- E-government Will be completed in October 2018 when an MOU is ambassador initiative agency signed between Novateca, e-Governance Agency and Ministry of Education, Culture and Research that will provide both Ministry and Agency’s continuous coordination of and support to the e-Ambassadors network. Library Leaders Action Institution Status Transfer of robotics National Novateca set-up the initiative to create, support and initiative Children’s mentor library Robotics Clubs. This responsibility was Library transferred to the National Children’s Library because it is suited to further support and expand STEM education throughout libraries, organize library robotics contest on yearly basis, and represent libraries in the national and international forums as platform for non-formal STEM education. Online course on National Center Novateca’s existing advocacy curriculum and content is advocacy for Professional now available for library leaders in a readily available, Excellence interactive and self-paced digital format. Civil Society Action Institution Status Transfer of Online National Library Completed January 2018 Reporting Tool (ORT) Software donation to National Library Public libraries will be able to order new software from Libraries TechSoup for a small, affordable administration fee which will save libraries up to 99% on new versions of October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018 2 International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) AID-117-G-12-00001 software such as Microsoft Windows/Office. The National Library will appoint several staff members with IT and administrative skills as coordinators to administer the software donation process. II – Program Highlights This year, the Novateca program marked the following key achievements: • Official launch of 3 FabLabs in Ungheni, Cahul, and Drochia. The FabLabs are small-scale laboratories and workshops, equipped with an array of flexible computer-controlled tools and materials that allow users to explore the world of digital fabrication and manufacture products and prototypes for themselves and their businesses. (See Objective 1 below). • Novateca developed the first Advocacy MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) for libraries to transform Novateca’s existing advocacy curriculum and content into a readily available, interactive and self-paced digital format. (See Objective 2) • e-Ambassadors completed a nationwide, 3-month cascade training in e-Governance and e- Services for over 250 librarians. Over 15,000 people in Moldova have accessed e-Services at the library to date. The e-Ambassadors initiative has now 43 national e-Ambassadors coming from national, district, town and local/village libraries, and other 250 local e-Ambassadors, covering 32 territorial-administrative units across Moldova. According to the 2017 Public Library Visitors Survey that Novateca uses to collect data on program impact, 78% of Novateca library users have heard about the possibility of accessing public services over the Internet using a computer or mobile phone and the majority of Novateca library visitors (75%) would like to be trained how to access e- gov services. (See Objective 3 below). • IREX Moldova will implement a voter information project ahead of parliamentary elections, partnering with Novateca libraries to accomplish this goal. This short-term project, the second that IREX will implement with funding from the U.S. Embassy in Moldova in the last year, further reinforces the role that libraries can play as community-based platforms for learning and exchange. (See Objective 5 below). • Completed the four-month European Library Innovators Program (ELIP), an initiative to strengthen the capacity of mid-level library professionals including ties with EU peers as follow on to last year’s successful library leadership summer institute at the Mortenson Center (see Objective 3). • Finalized transfer of the Online Reporting Tool to the National Library, ensuring sustainability of data collection processes in support of data-based library management (see M&E section). • Novateca representatives, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research and partners attended the 2018 Next Library Conference in Berlin in September to deliver a presentation on the new law and program successes (see Objective 4). Novateca Key Impact Data: • A Total of 1,082 libraries, representing 81% of the total number of public libraries in Moldova are currently in the Novateca network. • 72% of visitors of Novateca libraries have used digital library technologies, which is 7 times higher than non-Novateca library users. Only 2% of rural residents visiting non-Novateca libraries have used digital technologies in 2017, compared to 75% of rural residents visiting Novateca libraries. • 50% of Novateca visitors pro-actively used digital technologies for personal and professional purposes (government information, agriculture, use of public services, purchasing products and services, etc.), compared with only 8% of non-Novateca visitors. Users of these technologies are: October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018 3 International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) AID-117-G-12-00001 reading news online, visiting web pages with entertainment content, creating online content and communicating with family members/friends living abroad or for professional purposes • The services provided by Novateca’s network of public libraries have a significant influence on citizens’ quality of life. Library visitors mentioned that due to use of technology in the library they: saved time (94%), strengthened communication and relationships between families and friends abroad (72%), improved their academic performance (63%), developed skills necessary for employment (37%), raised awareness regarding community issues (71%) and level of participation in community life (69%), receive help in employment (24%), and avoided bribery (68%). For more information, please refer to “Library Use and Information Consumption Patterns in Moldova as Launch of the “It’s My Library” Campaign to promote the transformation of the Moldovan library network and the new Novateca-inspired library law (See Objective 4 below).Part of the Novateca Program.” Objective 1: Libraries have the equipment and technology necessary to provide community access to information. In its final year, Novateca’s focus for Objective 1 narrowed to provision of library equipment and technology that directly supports the sustainability of Modern Library Services at the local level or leverages further investment from local authorities or other partners. FabLabs Launched in Ungheni, Cahul and Drochia: Novateca launched three ‘FabLabs’/Community Innovation Centers at Novateca libraries in Cahul, Drochia and Ungheni in collaboration with USAID, the Swedish Embassy and the USAID-funded Moldova Competitiveness Project (MCP). FabLabs expand local economic opportunities by setting up small-scale laboratories and workshops, equipped with an array of flexible computer-controlled tools and materials that allow users to explore the world of digital fabrication and manufacture products and prototypes for themselves and their businesses. These laboratories, along with a larger lab in Chisinau at the Tekwill Center, connect Moldova to a network of more than 1,200 FabLabs around the world. Each FabLab received mentoring support from Novateca to ensure that library staff can safely manage equipment, effectively promote its services to the community, and connect the FabLabs to an international network: all which will increase potential for long-term sustainability. 1+1 Initiative: The 1+1 initiative supports active libraries, particularly those that engage in local-level advocacy campaigns, to obtain additional IT equipment in response to patron and partner needs. Participating libraries (including those outside the Novateca network) purchase equipment (e.g., computers, laptops, tablets, multimedia projectors, and multifunctional printers) and then apply to receive an additional piece of equipment from Novateca. The 2017 edition of 1+1 was completed in December. More than 450 pieces of equipment were delivered to 341 libraries across 30 raions. This exceeded the goal of 180 libraries and included 31 libraries that were outside of the Novateca network. Based on the success of the 2017 Novateca 1+1 Initiative, another round was held in 2018. 138 libraries from 27 raions received 122 All-in-One computers,