FERM 2025 | Ersilia IACOB, managerul Bibliotecii Județene „Mihai Eminescu” din Botoșani, despre promovarea lecturii și a identității culturale în Regiunea Moldova
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Culture and Regional Identity – Tradition, Innovation, and Social Cohesion
Speaker:
Ersilia Iacob, Director of the “Mihai Eminescu” County Library of Botoșani
Topic of the Presentation:
“Young Readers – Cultural Tourism, Literary Clubs, and Reading Experiences in the Region”
The Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025 has established itself as a key reference point in the economic, social, and cultural development of the Moldova Region. The event brought together decision-makers, investors, experts, public administration representatives, and business leaders from Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and other strategic regions, creating an effective dialogue platform and opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
During the panel dedicated to Culture and Regional Identity – Tradition, Innovation, and Social Cohesion, participants explored how leveraging cultural heritage, promoting creative industries, and integrating tradition into modernity can contribute to the sustainable development of the region. The theme focused not only on preserving local identity but also on creating culturally relevant experiences for young people and communities.
In this context, the intervention by Ersilia Iacob, Director of the “Mihai Eminescu” County Library of Botoșani, highlighted concrete strategies through which the library stimulates interest in reading, promotes cultural tourism, and contributes to strengthening regional identity. By presenting the institution’s history, special collections, and educational projects, Ms. Iacob demonstrated how a county library can become a multifunctional center of culture, education, and research with a significant impact on the community and the region.
History of the “Mihai Eminescu” County Library Botoșani
Ersilia Iacob began by emphasizing the historical landmarks of the library, which operates in two historic monument buildings.
“The cultural progress of Botoșani in the second half of the 19th century necessitated the establishment, alongside other cultural institutions, of a public library. This was accomplished through the initiative of Th. Boian, via the City Council Decision dated March 18, 1882, and it was officially inaugurated on November 14, 1882, in the premises of School No. 1 for boys ‘Marchian’.”
Over the years, the library underwent numerous administrative transformations and relocations, accumulating an impressive collection: from 970 volumes and 1,720 readers in 1920, to approximately 460,000 library units today.
“In November 1982, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, the library was awarded the title of ‘Mihai Eminescu’ County Library. In 2023, we received the Officer rank of the Cultural Merit Order, category F, for the Promotion of Culture.”
The Library’s Role in Community and Education
The director emphasized the essential role of the library in the community as a multifunctional center for culture and education:
“Through our specific activities, we contribute to the personal development of users through informal education, lifelong learning, information literacy, as well as by offering alternatives for leisure. The library ensures equitable access to information and fosters public interest in aspects related to local culture and identity.”
The library operates through multiple sections and branches, including those for children, youth, and adults, as well as specialized sections such as the numismatics and philately cabinet.
UNESCO Documentary Collections: A Cultural Benchmark
A central point of the presentation was the introduction of the library’s special collections:
“Based on the donation of Mr. Ion C. Rogojanu, the UNESCO Documentary Collections Section was established in 1987, and today it comprises approximately 10,000 library units. It functions as an information and documentation center in the field of Eminescology, intended for research.”
The collection includes rare documents, unique editions, publications in 16 languages, studies and multimedia materials, as well as furniture, maps, musical scores, and art collections, giving the library the character of a museum, archive, university, and academy simultaneously.
Educational and Cultural Projects
Ersilia Iacob highlighted the educational and cultural projects carried out by the institution, both in partnership with other libraries and institutions, as well as independently:
“We organized the Cross-Border and Multiethnic Cultural Center in collaboration with the Eugeniu Coșeriu Municipal Library in Bălți, as well as the project ‘Say No to Burnout, Yes to Reading!’ together with the Doxologia Center in Iași and the School Inspectorates in Botoșani, Iași, and Neamț.”
In the future, the library plans to develop numismatics and philately cabinets to attract young people and cultivate cultural interests.
Promoting Local Heritage
The library has also contributed to preserving local memory and architecture by publishing albums promoting Botoșani County:
“We have published four albums: ‘Botoșani Stories’, ‘Memories in Bricks’, and ‘Places and Places of Faith’, which showcase the wonderful architectural and cultural resources of the Botoșani community.”
Conclusion
Ersilia Iacob’s intervention at the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025 emphasized the central role of the “Mihai Eminescu” County Library in strengthening the cultural identity of the Moldova Region. Through a combination of preserving historical heritage, internationally valuable special collections, and innovative educational projects, the institution not only promotes reading and lifelong learning but also acts as a catalyst for social cohesion and community pride.
By leveraging resources such as the UNESCO Documentary Collection or county promotion albums, the library creates bridges between past and present, between young people and local cultural values, and contributes to the development of cultural tourism. Through its sections and branches, as well as partnerships with educational and cultural institutions, the Botoșani County Library transforms each visit into a learning and discovery experience, strengthening the sense of community belonging and encouraging civic engagement.
Thus, the Library asserts itself as a multifunctional center of culture, education, and research, demonstrating that promoting regional identity and cultivating a passion for reading can become real tools for the economic, social, and cultural development of the region. Through its activity, the institution offers a strategic model for heritage valorization and innovation in cultural services, while consolidating Moldova’s reputation as an active space for cultural and educational dialogue.
