News Front International, American Libraries, May 2000, p. 33.

By Matthew A. Kollasch

Leaders of the Slovak Library community sponsored the first-ever Týzden slovenských knizníc or Week of Slovak Libraries begining March 27, 2000.

Inspiration for this celebration of Slovak libraries originated in a workshop presented by Gerald Hodges, ALA’s Director of Chapter Relations and Sharman Smith, State Librarian of Iowa. This library advocacy workshop was one in a series sponsored by SK-Libris: The Slovak Free Flow of Information Project <http://www.uni.edu/coe/sk-libris>.

Government Ministers Milan Ftácnik (Education) and Milan Knazko (Culture) attended opening day events. Daniela Gondová, President of the Slovak Association of Libraries, and the chief organizer of the week’s activities was pleased. "This is an historic day for Slovak libraries." Gondová said. "Librarians got the participation of two ministers on the same day!"

Dominating discussions during the week was the proposed library law now in parliament. Librarians here are lobbying for the National Library to become an independent agency no longer under the authority of Matrica Slovenská, which many believe impedes the National Library’s ability to properly conduct its business. Minister Ftácnik encouraged the librarians to continue their political involvement by encouraging them to participate in parliamentary work sessions concerning the law. “I wish you much strength energy and I hope our cooperation is a good one."