Digital Vanguard Library - Meeting Intellectual Needs through Discovery and Study

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania - Rep.Moldova

Date of latest update: 2025-10-02

Description

Description (EN):

The project initiative's specific goal is to promote resilience in distance and online education and training by using university libraries' resources and capabilities. The initiative addresses a common challenge: the insufficiency of existing infrastructure within university libraries to fulfil growing needs for inclusive and robust remote education. The problems include obsolete technologies, insufficient digital resources, and a lack of adaptive learning settings, all of which restrict equal access to quality educational services. The main objective of the project is to transform university libraries into modern hubs of inclusive digital education. The project's goal is to provide these libraries with cutting-edge digital infrastructure that will ensure that all students have equal access to high-quality educational resources. The predicted effect is a major increase in the accessibility and resilience of university library services, which will democratise education and promote lifelong learning. At the same time, digitization of library services will help to optimise lending procedures and manage the library's informative resources. The project's outcomes will include library modernization, the formation of digital learning centres inside university libraries, the creation of a massive repository of digital resources, and the implementation of new librarian training programmes. These findings will help students, educators, and the larger community by providing access to educational resources and improving learning environments. The project approach entails transforming university libraries by incorporating innovative technologies, cooperating with educational technology experts, and offering substantial training to library staff. A cross-border strategy is critical, as difficulties in digital education and library services frequently cross boundaries. Collaborative activities enable the pooling of experience, resources, and unique viewpoints, resulting in a more complete and effective solution to common difficulties confronting colleges across regions. What distinguishes it is its emphasis on exploiting university libraries as key players in the digital education landscape. The project is breaking new ground in expanding access to quality education by transforming traditional libraries into dynamic digital learning centres. The emphasis on resilience in the context of university libraries is special, ensuring that these institutions become adaptive and responsive to the changing needs of online education. The project goes beyond traditional infrastructure building, embracing libraries as dynamic change agents in the digital education era. The project will reposition libraries as active contributors to the digital education environment. This signifies a paradigm change from libraries serving as passive repositories to dynamic facilitators of inclusive and resilient online learning experiences. Given the cultural and linguistic similarities between Romania and Moldova, a cross-border strategy can aid in the adoption and implementation of common solutions. A cross-border strategy will facilitate the exchange of best practices between the two participating countries. Each country can bring unique skills and experiences to help solve common problems encountered by university libraries in both countries, as well as increase regional cohesiveness in terms of library resources and infrastructure.

Expected Achievements (EN):

The transformation of university libraries in Romania and the Republic of Moldova from the Programme area into modern inclusive digital education hubs. The desired outcomes after the project implementation are: Increasing access to resources and inclusive digital education by diversifying online collections for all types of students, including those with special needs; Optimization of the lending and library management processes; Developing digital skills in library personnel and users for the use of new library technologies. The digitalization of library processes and TUIASI and TUM include RFID tags on books for inventory processes, lending and returning procedures (via RFID scanners) as well as deployment of new, more performant library software. The digitization of library patrimony will make possible to access all needed information from anywhere at any time. The number of digitized books is an indicator that can be quantified at the end or project implementation and afterwards.

Project outputs: Cooperation(EN)
Classroom capacity(EN)

Thematic information

ICT and digital society Education and training Knowledge and technology transfer

Priority: (VI-A_Ro-Mo_2) Social Development across Borders

Priority specific objective: RSO4.2. Improving equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through developing accessible infrastructure, including by fostering resilience for distance and on-line education and training

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 123 Infrastructure for tertiary education

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: Universitatea Tehnică "Gheorghe Asachi" din Iaşi

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999853303

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4701606

Address: Bd. Dimitrie Mangeron, 700050 Iasi, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.tuiasi.ro

Total budget: EUR 495 724.42

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 446 151.97

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 49 572.45

Universitatea Tehnică din Moldova

Name: Universitatea Tehnică din Moldova

Department: Scientific Library

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1007600001506

Address: Bd. Stefan cel Mare si Sfant, MD2004 Chisinau, Moldova

Department address: Str. Studentilor, MD2045 Chisinau, Moldova

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://utm.md/

Total budget: EUR 354 197.88

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 318 778.09

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 419.79

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Technical University of Moldova

Digital Vanguard Library - Meeting Intellectual Needs through Discovery and Study

Partners and Projects info

"Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi

Digital Vanguard Library - Meeting Intellectual Needs through Discovery and Study

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Digital Vanguard Library - Meeting Intellectual Needs through Discovery and Study

Project acronym: MINDS

Project ID: ROMD00636

Project start date: 2025-07-23

Project end date: 2027-07-22

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

EUSDR (EN) | The project contributes to the Priority Area 9 of EUSDR. More specifically, the project addresses the 3 of the 5 objective in PA9: improved educational outcomes and relevant skills and competences in the Danube Region, focusing on learning outcomes for employability, entrepreneurship, innovation, active citizenship and well-being; increased quality and efficiency of education; inclusive education and training and promoting inclusive labor markets, equal opportunities and non-discrimination as well as the promotion of civic competences and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
To that extent, the specific objective of the project in terms of desired outcomes after the project implementation are: Increasing access to resources and inclusive digital education by diversifying online collections for all types of students, including those with special needs; Optimization of the lending and library management processes; Developing digital skills in library personnel and users for the use of new library technologies. (EN), ERASMUS+ (EN) | Erasmus+'s mobility, cooperation, and policy dialogue activities have a strong international character (i.e., collaboration with third nations not involved with the Programme). It assists European organizations in meeting the global challenges posed by globalization, climate change, and the digital transition, particularly through increased international mobility and cooperation with third countries, and by strengthening the European Union's role as a global actor. It strengthens societal bonds through mobility, exchanges, and capacity building, while also fostering social resilience, human development, employability, active engagement, and maintaining regular channels for people-to-people collaboration by promoting values, principles, and interests centered on shared priorities.
The human resources involved in the educational act require continual training and updating, too. Hence, joint development activities of teaching abilities and methodologies would contribute to the harmonization at European level. Libraries aren't simply a place for storing books. They are information, activity and technology hubs with the potential for ambitious up-scaling and design. This is to say that libraries are becoming more than just spaces to store and borrow books – they are spaces to collaborate and connect. (EN), Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea (EN) | The Initiative has identified four main pillars on which a new set of research and innovation actions can be developed. One of the pillars is called Education and Capacity Building. The two action of the 4th pillar the project creates synergies with are:
Action 4.1.2 - Develop programmes for life long and intergenerational training as well as vocational education of professionals in integrated coastal and marine management and blue economy
Action 4.1.3 - Promote digital literacy (i.e. e-learning environments) and prepare for the rapid change in use and implementation of virtual technologies as an essential component of life long education in all fields of blue economy
The concept of modern digital library, through digitization and digitalization, addresses the two actions of Main Goal 1 belonging to 4th pillar from SRIA. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 849 922.30

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 764 930.06

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 90.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Public opening events
Media reachout
Public closing events
Project webpage
Records of investment
Project image identity
Library software procurement
Software deployment
Data migration
AI chat bot solution procurement
AI chat bot deployment
RFID tagging and registration
Equipment procurement and installation
Special equipment procurement and installation
RFID tagging and registration
Equipment procurement and installation
Special equipment procurement and installation
Digitization legal framework
Digitization
Staff training / Exchange
Software and equipment training

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion The project contributes also to the Priority Area 9 of EUSDR. More specifically, the project addresses the 3 of the 5 objective in PA9: improved educational outcomes and relevant skills and competences in the Danube Region, focusing on learning outcomes for employability, entrepreneurship, innovation, active citizenship and well-being; increased quality and efficiency of education; inclusive education and training and promoting inclusive labor markets, equal opportunities and non-discrimination as well as the promotion of civic competences and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Other The objectives of the proposed project are in line with European Commission's main strategies and policies regarding the digital society. According to these strategies, the European Commission aims for an inclusive digital society which benefits from the Digital Single Market. Building smarter cities, improving access to eGovernment, eHealth services and digital skills will enable a truly digital European society. The European Commission is developing policies to train European citizens in digital skills with initiatives like the skills agenda for Europe (the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition policy), part of the Digital Single Market strategy. These actions will help Europe's growth in an increasingly digital society.
Other The national strategy with respect to the Digital Agenda for Romania 2020 and Digital Moldova 2020 was developed based on the reference framework for developing the European digital economy 2014-2020, i.e. the Digital Agenda for Europe 2020 Programme. The basis of implementing the national strategy lies in the requirement to invest in last generation IT&C equipment and in the development of the broadband infrastructure and digital services. Moreover, both Digital Agendas for Romania and Moldova 2020 seek to facilitate the social inclusion, the increase in the level of digital literacy and the improvement of the digital competences.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

România (RO), Iasi, Bld. Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron, 49, 700050
România (RO), Iasi, Bld. Carol, 11A, 700506
România (RO), Iasi, Bl. Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron, 3, 700050
România (RO), Iasi, Bl. Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron, 49, 700050
România (RO), Iasi, Bld. Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron, 23, 700050
România (RO), Iasi, Bld. Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron, 27, 700050
România (RO), Iasi, Bld. Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron, 73, 700050
România (RO), Iasi, Bld. Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron, 29, 700050
Moldova (MD), Chisinau, Str. Studentilor, 9/8, MD2045
Moldova (MD), Chisinau, Str. Mircesti, 42, MD2049
Moldova (MD), Chisinau, Str. Dacia, 29, MD2060
Moldova (MD), Chisinau, Str. Studentilor, 9/7, MD2045
Moldova (MD), Chisinau, Str. Studentilor, 9/9, MD2045
Moldova (MD), Chisinau, Str. Sergiu Radautanu, 4, MD2045
Moldova (MD), Chisinau, Str. 31 August 1989, 78, MD2012

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 067 - Classroom capacity of new or modernised education facilities, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 071 - Annual users of new or modernised education facilities, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania - Rep.Moldova

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-10-02

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

83 / 83 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

214 / 214 (100%)

Notes on the data

Languages

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Digital Vanguard Library - Meeting Intellectual Needs through Discovery and Study

Description

Thematic information

Partners (2)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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