The library's local history activities in the 1920s and 1930s were just beginning. Its initial reference apparatus was created in the spring of 1923 by students from the Tarnovo Male High School.
During the reign of the director Pencho Krussev, active donation campaigns were held in the library, its entire reference apparatus was organized, and the beginning of the local history card catalogue was laid. There are 20,000 publications about Veliko Tarnovo, arranged according to a classification scheme with over 630 divisions specially prepared for the occasion by Pencho Krussev. This card catalogue was the first local history card catalogue in Bulgaria, which is still kept in the library.
The object of the local history activity is the search and collection of books, newspapers and magazines published or printed in the town before the establishment of the library. The search includes publications related to Veliko Tarnovo, manuscripts and old printed books, materials by local authors, etc. The valuable manuscript collection that the library has, thanks to the initiative taken by its first directors, is a source of local history research.
To date, the Department of Local History is a separate department within the structure of the Department of Reference and Bibliography.
The priority of the library specialists in the department is the search, collection, processing and provision of correct and complete information about Veliko Tarnovo and the Veliko Tarnovo region - in the sphere of socio-political and economic life, history, science, culture, education, biographical materials, art, sports, etc.
The department keeps local history literature, with over 2500 titles of books, distributed to all branches of knowledge. The information researched and collected ranges from the Renaissance period to the present day. A local history catalogue and a local history card catalogue have been created. Local history literature and local periodicals are included in the library's electronic catalogue. An electronic local history card catalogue is also available on the library's website for the convenience of readers and users. The department maintains local history collections in the Digital Cultural Treasury North +.
The Local History section has a remarkable collection of postcards related to objects or events from the Veliko Tarnovo region. A collection of calendars and postal envelopes, with colour and black and white images with a first edition stamp on them. The collection of badges is a non-traditional collection. The philatelic collection "Veliko Tarnovo in Philately. 1879-1987" It contains over 100 stamps.
It has a well-developed reference literature, helping the information search of readers and library users. It updates, maintains and enriches an electronic database of local information.
The department provides oral and written bibliographical references on a given topic or information search. Written bibliographical references are prepared for a fee. Oral references can be requested by telephone, e-mail or at the library.
Library specialists prepare bibliographic indexes, bibliographies, and are actively involved in the publication of local history collections, anniversary newspapers, pamphlets, and brochures.
The Local Lore Branch takes as its mission the promotion of Veliko Tarnovo and the Veliko Tarnovo region through various forms and events, participating and celebrating current events, dates, anniversaries and themes of national and local importance.
