Petko R. Slaveykov Regional Public Library in Veliko Tarnovo is Bulgaria's third major book depository, established in 1889, serving as a cultural and educational hub with over 600,000 volumes and a rich history of innovation and public service.

Foundation and Early Years

"Petko R. Slaveykov" Regional Public Library in Veliko Tarnovo was established in 1889 as the first public library in the city. It became the third major book depository in Bulgaria, following the National Library in Sofia and the National Library in Plovdiv. The library was founded with its own statutes and regulations, modeled on the "Rules of the 'Razvitie' Company." These regulations outlined the maintenance of the book fund, selection of management, and policies for purchasing and lending books.

^{The Entrance of The Library}

The initial collection included books from the municipality of Veliko Tarnovo and the men's high school "St. Cyril." The library primarily acquired fiction and popular science literature printed by local publishing houses. Following its legalization on July 11, 1920, the library began receiving a free deposit copy of all publications from the Bulgarian printing industry. Donations supplemented its collection until September 9, 1944.

Development as a National Library

On August 15, 1922, the library gained national recognition and was officially inaugurated in the "Angel Popov" Board of Trustees building. Mosko Moskov, an archaeologist, literary critic, historian, and linguist, was appointed its first director. Under his leadership, the library became a robust cultural institution, and a public reading room was opened in November of the same year.

After Moskov's tenure ended in 1932, temporary directors Dimitar Tsonchev and Asen Hristov managed the library. In 1933, Pencho Krusev was appointed as the first permanent librarian. He initiated the first local history archive in Bulgaria, amassing approximately 20,000 handwritten records of publications about Veliko Tarnovo. During his tenure, the construction of a dedicated library building began, and the first yearbook of the library was published in 1941.

Post-War Expansion

In 1954, the library relocated to a newly constructed building—the first in Bulgaria specifically designed for library use. This seven-story facility housed the Adult Loans, Children’s Department, Registration, Cataloging, and Reference sections. On March 20, 1958, the library was renamed in honor of Petko Rachev Slaveykov, reflecting its cultural and historical significance.

During the 1970s, the library continued to expand its offerings and received the "Cyril and Methodius" 1st-degree award in 1971 for its 50th anniversary. By 1988, under the leadership of Dimo Minchev, a new branch was established in the "Buzludzha" district, which included lending and reading rooms, a children’s study area, and storage for post-1944 fiction and foreign publications. In 1989, a bas-relief of P. R. Slaveykov was installed in front of the library to commemorate its centenary.

Modernization and Contemporary Achievements

In 2000, Ivan Alexandrov became the library director, with Kalina Ivanova serving as deputy director. Their tenure marked significant modernization efforts, including the integration of advanced computer systems and information technologies to enhance library services. The library also developed international cultural and educational collaborations.

Today, "P. R. Slaveykov" Regional Public Library serves as a methodological center for 150 public libraries in the Veliko Tarnovo region. Its universal collection comprises over 600,000 volumes in both physical and digital formats, serving approximately 10,000 readers annually. The library remains an active participant in cultural projects, fostering partnerships with public organizations and corresponding with leading libraries worldwide.