SARAJEVO, AUGUST 26 (ONASA) – The National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina has stopped working as of today.
On this occasion, a press conference was held today on the campus of the University of Sarajevo.
Symbolically, everything is happening on the day when the anniversary of the burning down of the Sarajevo City Hall, where this institution used to be, is celebrated.
“As employees of this significant institution, we want to make it clear and loud that we are not destroyers of state institutions, but their guardians and advocates, the employees state, adding that:
The National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not only the custodian of the national heritage, but also a key resource for education, research and the cultural history of our country.
The unresolved status of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina not only jeopardizes its adequate funding, but also creates serious difficulties in providing adequate personnel solutions.
Uncertainty regarding financial resources and personnel policy directly affects the institution’s ability to perform its key tasks and functions, and additionally threatens its mission, survival and development.
Our struggle to preserve the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a struggle to preserve the cultural identity and knowledge that is necessary for the development of our community.
We will persist in our fight using all available legal channels and means until we achieve the final goal of preserving and improving the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent institution.
All those who help clarify the status of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina and preserve its function will be recorded in the history of this country as true guardians of its cultural heritage.
Our institution is not just a collection of books and documents; it is a symbol of collective knowledge and identity, the closure of which would mean immense damage that cannot be easily compensated.
Maintaining such institutions through projects and grants, although necessary, diverts attention and resources from their daily work and core mission. Through adequate funding and support, it must be ensured that the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to function at its full strength, without unnecessary distractions.
Therefore, we invite everyone who is able to help solve this problem to recognize the importance of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina and provide the necessary support in order to preserve this institution for future generations.
Starting today, August 26, employees of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina are suspending services to the public until further notice.
The reason for this decision is the lack of a concrete policy by the authorities to solve our situation, which is why we no longer have the conditions for the functioning and work of the institution.
The Government of the Canton of Sarajevo allocated 300,000 KM from its budget for NUBBiH through the Ministry of Culture and Sports, as well as 100,000 KM through the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth, which is significant for the employees to begin with.
These intervention funds will enable us to pay off part of the debt to the workers, but unfortunately these funds are not sufficient for the long-term survival of our institution.
We will continue to work on finding additional solutions to ensure stability and continuation of our activities.
Our demands remain the same, namely the appointment of a management structure and a defined and stable legal and financial status of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For any additional information, contact the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the competent ministries of culture and education,” the employees stated in their statement.
NUBBiH, an institution that was founded on October 31, 1945 and survived the horrors of war, today faces the danger of being closed down due to inadequate funding and carelessness of competent authorities, which is unacceptable for an institution that is the basis of the cultural and educational identity of our country. (end)