2004 programs and events

Ambassador Krol Donates CD-ROMs to Belarusian Libraries

Ambassador George Krol on September 14 donated CD-ROM collections spotlighting American culture and history to the National Library of Belarus and the Minsk City Children's Library. He also praised U.S.-Belarusian cooperation in the sphere of library and information resource development at a luncheon organized by the Public Affairs Section to honor leaders in the Belarusian library community. The event was timed to coincide with the celebration in Belarus of "Library Day" and the "National Week of Libraries."

"It would be difficult to try to assess adequately the important role that the people in this room have played in connecting the people of Belarus with books," Ambassador Krol said in remarks to the luncheon. "The institutions and organizations that you represent have had a lasting and positive impact on the life and lives of Belarus. They have also played an important role in fostering improved understanding between the United States and Belarus."

Noting that the U.S. Embassy is proud of its efforts to support Belarusian libraries, Ambassador Krol added, "Key among these is the American Corners Program, established in 2001 in Belarus -- thanks to the support of Belarusian public libraries." There are currently six American Corners in Belarus, and Ambassador Krol announced plans to open new American Corners in the near future.

Ambassador Krol presented CD-ROMs valued at $574.00 to the Minsk City Central Children's Library. They include popular family games that can also be used by teachers in the classroom, as well as some favorites among preteens and teenagers: "Lord of the Rings," "Harry Potter," and "Beauty and the Beast." The U.S. gift to the National Library, valued at $1 .252.74, features some of the best electronic resources on U.S. biography, history, culture, and gender studies.

Guests included Roman Matulski, Director of the National Library; Pyotr Lapo, President of the Belarusian Library Association; Olga Tomasheva, Deputy Head of the Minsk City Central Children's Library; Natalia Chueva, Director of the Minsk Regional Library named after A. Pushkin; Natalia Beryozkina, Director of the Scientific Library of the National Academy of Science; Raisa Sukhorukova, Director of the Republican Scientific and Technical Library; Nikolai Yatsevitch, Dean of the Library and Information Science Department, University of Culture; and Alexander Solodkov, IATP (Internet Access Training Program) Coordinator for Belarus.