The article describes the historical background to the creation of the present-day Republic of Moldova and its National Library. The development of the major public libraries in Chisinau, Moldova's capital city, from their origins in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries is considered, and the effects of the sovietization of Moldovan libraries following the establishment of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic are discussed. The article examines the current role of the National Library of Moldova, its responsibilities, collections, users and staff. In spite of the scarcity of resources, the Library is making efforts to change from a Soviet to a Western model of operation, helped by support from various agencies abroad.
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