Film in libraries. Libraries on film at OWR17

the event Film in libraries. Libraries in film continues an approach started in 2022 through which the One World Romania Association promotes libraries as cultural hubs, through the Library Documentation project.

As every year, the project returns to the One World Romania International Documentary Film and Human Rights Festival, and this year proposes an extensive debate about the programs that libraries currently offer for different communities, starting from the example of the New York Public Library, portrayed by the renowned documentary film director Frederick Wiseman in the Ex Libris: The New York Public Library.

The event takes place on April 11, from 11:30 amat Cinema Union (Str. Ion Câmpineanu no. 21, Bucharest), and the screening of the film will be followed by a discussion with special guests. Participation is free, subject to availability. To secure your place, we recommend booking a ticket with zero value on the Eventbook platform.

The following will participate in the discussion: Dragoș Adrian Neagu (President of ANBPR – National Association of Librarians and Public Libraries from Romania, Manager of the Brăila “Panait Istrati” County Library); Ioana Crihană (ANBPR Executive Director, man of letters, former journalist, experienced copywriter, advertising consultant); University lecturer Dr. Robert Coravu (Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest). The event will be moderated by Alexandra Florescu (journalist).

With the help of our guests, we will discuss the community role of libraries and what they can do today to engage audiences of all ages and support ongoing dialogue and learning. The projected documentary takes an inspirational and kaleidoscopic look at one of the world’s greatest libraries and in particular at its programs designed for diverse communities. Offering workshops and conferences on specialized topics as well as general information services, the New York Public Library reveals itself as a revitalized forum that has not been replaced by digital media, but has learned to use them for the benefit of its patrons.

Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (USA, 2017, 197 min) takes a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions of learning and reveals it as a welcoming place conducive to cultural exchange and learning. With 92 locations in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, the New York Public Library is committed to being a resource for all residents of this diverse and cosmopolitan region, and beyond. The library strives to stimulate learning, promote the advancement of knowledge, and strengthen communities.

The film will be subtitled in Romanian. The discussion will take place in Romanian.

Trailer “Ex Libris: The New York Public Library”

Guests:

Dragoș Adrian Neagu has been a member of ANBPR since 1995 and is currently serving his second term as president of this organization. The National Association of Librarians and Public Libraries in Romania, a public utility association, aims to support the professional interests of librarians from public libraries, having an uninterrupted activity of 34 years. At the moment, it has over 3300 members and has 37 branches nationwide. Since 1998, he has held the position of deputy director of the Brăila “Panait Istrati” County Library, since 2007 he has been the director of this institution. He is a graduate of “Dănărea de Jos” University in Galati and a PhD in management from “Lucian Blaga” University in Sibiu.

Ioana Crihană has worked, in the last 20 years, in various management positions in highly competitive business entities: a government institution, a national newspaper, a well-known Branding & Advertising Agency, a multinational ICT corporation and in the most representative association national association of libraries from Romania – ANBPR. Being involved in several development projects, Ioana Crihană has expertise in the creation, restructuring and revitalization of various products, services and organizational structures, as well as in the implementation of business plans and sustainability strategies, both in the private environment and in the public.

Robert Coravu is vice-dean of the Faculty of Letters of the University of Bucharest and lecturer in the Department of Communication Sciences, Chair of Information and Documentation Sciences. Doctor of Philology (2012), with a thesis dedicated to contemporary university libraries. He was deputy general director of the “Carol I” Central University Library (2003-2011) and general secretary of the Association of Romanian Librarians (2003-2009). As an advisor to the Minister of Culture and Religion (2001-2003), he contributed to the drafting of Law no. 334/2002 – Law on libraries.

Alexandra Florescu has worked for almost ten years in marketing and PR in the book industry, looking for new solutions, channels and contexts for campaigns to promote the pleasure of reading. For two years, he has been writing about films and series for Scena9 and Films in Frame.

ORGANIZING

One World Romania Association

CULTURAL PROJECT CO-FINANCED BY

Administration of the National Cultural Fund

partner

Mediawise Society, KineDok Romania, “Ion Heliade Rădulescu” County Library Dâmbovița, “Ștefan Bănulescu” County Library Ialomița, “GT Kirileanu” County Library Neamț, “Marin Preda” County Library Teleorman

The project does not necessarily represent the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.

The Documentary at the Library project is taking a step towards increasing the critical image analysis skills of the general public, with documentary film as teaching material. At the same time, the project represents a long-term effort to enrich the activity of libraries, activating them as cultural hubs and signaling their usefulness as accessible nodes of knowledge.

Founded in 2009, the One World Romania Association organizes annually in Bucharest the only documentary film and human rights festival in the country, One World Romania. The association works with documentary film as a vehicle for social and political dialogue, as a window to the world and a thought-provoking environment. Through its activities, the association supports the evolution of documentary demand in Romania, which has led in recent years to an increased interest in this genre, both in terms of the general public and within educational programs.