The National Library of Moldova (, BNRM) located in Chişinău, Moldova is the main library of the state which is responsible for conservation, valorization and protection of written cultural heritage. The National Library operates according to the guiding principles of UNESCO referring to this type of libraries, it is part of the European Digital Library. Founded in 1940, it traces its roots to the Gubernatorial Public Library of Bessarabia established in 1832. At present, the National Library is one of the objectives with great value of the national patrimony and presents the treasure written and printed cultural heritage of the country. Library ensures wide public access to its collections for research, study and / or information. The Director General is Elena Pintilei. The library is accessible to all users who have reached the age of 17. From 1992 until his death on April 8, 2015 the director of the National Library was Alexe Rău – Ph. D., a library scientist, philosopher, poet and essayist. Mission The National Library is a state institution subordinated to the administrative Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova. The Library operates under the principles of autonomy, freedom, political disengagement, cultural national identity and of legislation and its status. National Library of Moldova represents the treasure of cultural heritage written and printed, which over the years performs: filling, storing and offering for users collections of national editions, precious foreign publications, manuscripts, audiovisual and multimedia materials etc.; preservation of national memory comprised in printed heritage, providing them to its beneficiaries and transmitting to new generations; scientific development of patrimonial collections. History The Gubernatorial Public Library of Bessarabia (later Public Library) was established in Chişinău by an order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Empire which remains the founder of the library until 1917. On August 22, 1832, took place the inauguration of the library, at that time the governor of the country was A. I. Sarokumski. The doctor of law, Peter Manega, came from Bucharest and he was preoccupied of finding, renting this building and also the purchase of books fund. The first librarian was Gabriel Bilevici, an intellectual with studies done in Chernivtsi, a professor at the Gymnasium nr. 1- a school for the boys from Chisinau, where there hosted for a while library. The books from the private library of the Colonel I.P. Liprandi, and from Kelhner and from professor Arhanghelski,