Technical equipment donation from North Carolina for health sciences library and 8 other libraries across the country

The Health Sciences Library of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova along with 8 other libraries in the country received a batch of technical equipment from the organization Wilmington East Rotary Club, city of Wilmington, North Carolina, the United States of America (USA). The donation for the beneficiary libraries, which included a notebook and a licensed operating system, a multifunction printer, and supplies for it (toner, cartridges and A4 paper), was offered on April 28 this year, during an event organized by our university ‒ national coordinator of the project, at the University Sociocultural Center.

Professor Emil Ceban, the rector of Nicolae Testemitanu University, inaugurated the festive event, briefly presenting the 24-year history of the Bilateral Partnership, including the cooperation projects between the institutions of the State of North Carolina and the University in the field of medical education, stomatology, pharmacy, medical libraries, and nursing.

 "In recent years, university libraries have strengthened their efforts in order to establish a shared electronic catalog, create institutional repositories, develop electronic libraries by digitizing collections, with the aim of ensuring open access to information, the use and preservation of documentary resources, increasing the visibility of scientific publications and developing user information culture, in accordance with current requirements. Certainly, the donated equipment will enhance the quality of services provided by libraries, which have a direct impact on the educational, scientific, and practical process and, finally, on the health and standards of living for the people of the Republic of Moldova", stated the rector.

His Excellency Mr. Kent D. Logsdon, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the USA to the Republic of Moldova, spoke about the potential and sustainability of bilateral cooperation in supporting universities and libraries, the creation of new opportunities for students in our country, but also about the role of libraries in contemporary society. “Currently, libraries are transforming into multipurpose entities, for interaction and development of social, cognitive, and emotional competencies that are so crucial to success in today’s globalized world, having a major contribution to the informational development and constantly attracting new community members. This is just one element of our long-standing partnership with the people and authorities of the Republic of Moldova,” the U.S. Ambassador emphasized.

An essential role in the continuous development of the bilateral partnership has been played by Elaine Marshall, the Secretary of State of North Carolina, who noted that "this project illustrates the strong relationship between the two states, and today, after 3 years of challenges, it has accomplished its goal. Equipping the libraries is of vital importance for the development of the medical profession and community healthcare, these activities constituting a building block for the future". In Her Excellency's opinion, Nicolae Testemitanu University has been core to the partnership between North Carolina and Moldovan libraries, this fruitful cooperation becoming a model for other states and nations.

According to Scott Rebein, president of the Wilmington East Rotary Club, the organization headed by him has been supporting Moldova for over 17 years, and the donation of library equipment is an honor for his team, demonstrating the continuity of support offered to our country.

Donna Flake, Coordinator of the interlibrary partnership between North Carolina and the Republic of Moldova, expressed her enthusiasm for the lasting friendly relations established between the representatives of the two countries and thanked all participants who contributed to the realization of this project. At the same time, she proudly noted that she personally managed to visit most of the libraries, assuring her librarian partners that she would always maintain a caring and affectionate attitude in bilateral collaborative relations.

As president of Moldova World Children's Fund, Ray West addressed a congratulatory message of gratitude to the partners from the Republic of Moldova and North Carolina, especially to the representatives of Nicolae Testemitanu University, who have a leading role in the bilateral cooperation, for their professionalism and their responsibility. Ray West has mentioned that access to information is vital in modern society, expressing confidence that this equipment will be put to good use in the activity of libraries and in the support of study beneficiaries. 

For her part, Irina Rusanovschi, president of the International Center for Cooperation and Development Phoenix, thanked the American partners for the support provided under the Interlibrary Partnership, enjoyed by several university and school libraries, which enriched their collection with numerous books in English.

On behalf of all the beneficiary institutions, the rector of the Technical University of Moldova, professor Viorel Bostan, thanked all the partners of the State of North Carolina for the initiation and development of this project “that will help the libraries move to a new stage of knowledge development - the digital one”. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to Nicolae Testemitanu University administration for assuming the role of ambassador in establishing collaborative relations with the State of North Carolina.

In the end, rector Emil Ceban, who moderated the event, addressed cordial thanks to the Secretary of State of North Carolina, to Coordinator of the interlibrary partnership Donna Flake, and representatives of Wilmington East Rotary Club for the offered donation, and to Moldova World Children's Fund, the US Embassy in our country and the International Center for Cooperation and Development Phoenix for supporting this initiative.

 Beneficiaries of the given project are the libraries of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, State University of Moldova, Technical University of Moldova, including its branch from the faculties of Environmental Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Alecu Russo State University from Balti, Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu State University from Cahul, State University from Comrat, Medical College from Ungheni and Medical College from Cahul.

The project was carried out with the support of the North Carolina - Republic of Moldova interlibrary partnership, the Bilateral Partnership between the State of North Carolina and the Republic of Moldova, Moldova World Children's Fund, the US Embassy in Moldova, and the International Center for Cooperation and Development Phoenix.