Director Library-Information Center
University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, Sofia, Bulgaria
First Impressions: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever
Hello, colleagues and fellow professionals!
I am delighted to begin this professional journey as a participant in the 2026 Mortenson Center Associates Program “Poised for Impact: Data, User, Strategy-Driven Libraries” at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. For me, this experience is not only an opportunity for learning but also a space to connect with colleagues from around the world, exchange ideas, and reflect on the future of libraries in an increasingly dynamic, digital, and interconnected world.
About Me
My name is Assoc. Prof. Elena Ignatova Savova, PhD, and I serve as Director of the Library and Information Center and Vice Dean at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) in Sofia, Bulgaria.
My professional work is focused on the library and information science, library management, cultural heritage digitization, information and algorithmic literacy, and the development of contemporary academic services. In my current role, I combine teaching, research, library leadership, and project management. I believe that libraries are not only custodians of memory but also active partners in education, research, and community development.
About ULSIT and its Library
The University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) is Bulgaria’s specialized university in the fields of library and information science, with more than 75 years of history and academic tradition. Alongside its educational and research mission, ULSIT actively promotes the preservation, study, and dissemination of Bulgaria’s literary, spiritual, and cultural heritage. Through its projects, partnerships, and public initiatives, the university contributes to safeguarding national memory and strengthening the role of culture, science, and education as strategic drivers of contemporary societal development.
The ULSIT Library and Information Center is a natural extension of this mission. As a modern academic library, it supports education and research while actively engaging in the preservation, digitization, and promotion of Bulgaria’s literary and spiritual heritage.
My Learning Goals During the Program
During the Mortenson Associates Program, I hope to focus on several key objectives:
- Exploring how leading libraries use data for strategic planning, service assessment, and demonstrating impact;
- Learning more about user-centered library service models and the ways libraries understand and support their communities;
- Deepening my knowledge of research data management, scholarly communication, and the evolving role of libraries in supporting the research process;
- Exchanging experiences with international colleagues on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, information and algorithmic literacy;
- Gathering ideas and practices that can be adapted and implemented at the ULSIT Library and Information Center and shared with the broader Bulgarian library community.
First Impressions
Even at the beginning of the program, there is a strong sense of professional community built on trust, openness, and mutual respect. It is fascinating to see how different library environments can be across the world and, at the same time, how similar the questions that unite us are: How can we better serve our users? How can we use data responsibly? How can we develop sustainable strategies? And how can we preserve the human dimension of libraries in an era of rapid technological change?
For me, participation in this program is an opportunity to view my own institution from a new perspective. I believe that the greatest value of international programs like this lies not only in what we learn, but also in how they encourage us to think more boldly, more strategically, and more openly about the future.