Libraries in Lithuania 2013

Julija MazuolieneMinistry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania,

2014

Lithuanian Libraries System• 2 585 libraries for 2 944 094 citizens in Lithuania in 2013

(2 633 and 2 993 534 in 2012) 1306 Public libraries in the Ministry of Culture scope (1321 in 2012)

• The National library• Lithuanian Library for the Blind • 5 County libraries (for 10 counties in Lithuania)• 60 main municipality public Libraries in districts (1281

branch libraries)• 16 museum libraries• 2 libraries in culture institutions and other organizations

Usage of Libraries

Registered users

126000012800001300000132000013400001360000138000014000001420000

201320122011

Visits23500000

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201320122011

Main indicators decreased for these reasons:• Lithuanian library network is annually getting smaller • The number of emigrants increased• The number of citizens decreased• Increased the number of part-time working librarians (about 30

per cent of librarians work part time).

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• Computers for users 14 961 (↑ 114 more than in 2012), with internet connection 14 574( ↑ 133 more than in 2012)

• Virtual visits - 15,83 mln. ( ↑ 2, 81 mln. more than in 2012)

• Internet interactions - 28,64 mln. ( ↑ 3,14 mln. more than in 2012)

• E-publications downloads 8,3 mln. ( ↓ 1,0 less than in 2012)

LiBiToP research on Public LibrariesThe project was implemented in 2011-2013 by Lithuanian Academic

Libraries (LABA) using an innovative research method – future scenarios. •Participants: librarians, government representatives, scientists and artists. •The main result : Feasibility study

Progress of the project:•Analysis of strategic environment (the analysis of libraries development and tendencies, PEST, 23 interviews with representatives from libraries)•Analysis of future development scenarios (16 scenarios, 8 seminars, 168 participants)•Analysis of strategies, qualitative and quantitative indicators (10 case studies, 41 strategic plans, 130 activity indicators, 17 users and librarians surveys, 10 discussions with targets groups with 83 librarians)

•At present all results of the research are available and the feasibility study is to be prepared.

General recommendations• A powerful information infrastructure for implementing

various state programs• Densest network for serving different consumers’ needs• Has a horizontal effect on implementation of a variety of

public education, science, information society, culture and social priorities

• Interdepartmental approach: libraries should appeal to strategic and legislative needs, mechanism for interdepartmental libraries management

• Involvement of libraries into strategic planning, implementing of successful LiBiTOP practice

• Setting up and implementing of a program for competence development of libraries’ staff

• Developing the evaluation system for libraries’ activities

• LiBiToP http://libitop.blogspot.com/ (currently only in Lt)

• Lithuanian public libraries: Preserving, creating, cooperating (2012) http://www.klavb.lt/leidiniai/County%20public%20libraries%20association.pdf

• Users’ perceptions of the benefits of information and communication technologies in public libraries in Lithuania. Final research report 2013 https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_-73IZKEJy5SUczYzRGSDhnUEk&usp=sharing&tid=0B_-73IZKEJy5M1AzNThROUkxUmM

Main achievements for 2013 and challenges for 2014• Legislation. A document of major competences requirements for

libraries’ directors were prepared. Since 2014 directors for The National Library, Library for blind and county libraries will be selected for 5 years. This restriction do not effect municipality libraries. A new version of the Law is planned to be prepared in 2014.

• The new project „Libraries for Innovations 2“ started (the project objective is to implement development of digital sources and e-services in the libraries) In 2014 it is planned to provide knowledge of project management for librarians.

• In 2013 The national literature program was approved

• In 2014 started a new project for renewing the equipment in municipality libraries, budget is 700 000 Lt (about 200 000 euros) each year for 2014-2016

• Libraries development programme for 2014-2020

Libraries Development Guidelines

• The Ministry of Culture has finished long-term financing programme “Libraries modernization and renovation 2003-2013” and now is preparing a long term strategic document Libraries’ Development Guidelines.

• New program for renovation of cultural infrastructure. The programme costs will be covered by Lithuanian government as well as by The EU structural funds.

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julija.mazuoliene@lrkm.lt

The Ministry of Culture of Republic of Lithuania