American Corner, Balti

On Monday I took another trip to Balti, Moldova. Balti is about a 2 hour drive north of Chisinau. Often called the "capital of the north," it is the 2nd largest city in Moldova

The purpose of my visit was to make a presentation at the American Corners facility -- a library of resources about the US located in a local library in Balti and operated by the US Embassy

I have already told you about the American Resource Center operated by the Embassy in Chisinau. The idea behind the American Corners programs/facilities is that people throughout the country may not necessarily be able to make the trip to Chisinau to visit the ARC. Through the American Corners program, satellite locations are arranged, and materials (books, DVDs, computers, internet access, magazines, newspapers, speaker series and other events) are brought to people where they are

Here is the description from the US Embassy in Moldova's website about the American Corners program:

http://moldova.usembassy.gov/americancorners.html

"The American Corner program is sponsored worldwide by the U.S. Department of State and is a partnership between country's host institution and the U.S. Embassy.

"The purpose of the Corners is to provide free information to the general public about the United States through books, magazines, DVDs, and complimentary access to the Internet.

"The Corner also host a wide variety of events, such as cultural programs and guest lectures from U.S. Embassy officials, Fulbright scholars, and others; film and video screenings; poetry readings; conversation and readers clubs; and many other activities.

"An important mission of the American Corners is to build bridges of understanding between people of the United States of America and the Republic of Moldova.

"Currently there are three American Corners in Moldova:

American Corner Ungheni
American Corner Balti
American Corner Ceadir Lunga


Here is a link to the American Corner in Balti website

http://moldova.usembassy.gov/american-corner-balti.html