From the fire at the Firefighters to the Treasure of Found

Many years of experience

« 100 – much or little? » – a question I repeated at Vincas Kudirka Public Library just a few days ago. I was leaning against the book, I guess no more than fourteen teenager at first, and then began to count. If 100 days at school – then a lot, if the same amount of time for a summer vacation, there is little.

« Centenary? I don’t know like this. Centennial institution? Let me think, » the « 100 » student understood through the staircase of stairs through the library window.

Vincas Kudirka Public Library is one of the oldest municipal public libraries in Lithuania, writing its history since 1925. April 24 of that year. A library-reading room founded by the city municipality opened its doors in Laisvės Alley. The text of the opening ceremony, which was attended by the city mayor, members of the Education Commission, City Council, primary school teachers and other honorable guests in society, appeared the next day. How did the institution look like in 1925? She had a large, ornate and neatly equipped hall with four, incomplete book cabinets. Over time, the shelves were filled and about ten years later the library fund exceeded 11 thousand. publications. 1939 There were already more than 13 thousand. Lithuanian, Russian, German, Polish, French and other languages. True, practically all these assets were caught by a fire.

Myth: The work of the librarian, according to M. Balsevičienė, is not calm, but very interesting. Photo by Regimantas Zakšensk

« At one point, the library was operating at the Firefighter House. After the German attack, there was a fire, after which only the box for correspondence and the library signboard remained, » said Monika Balsevičienė, Head of the Cultural Management Division of V. Kudirka Public Library.

At one point, the library was operating in the Firefighter House. After the German attack, there was a fire, after which only the box for correspondence and the library signboard remained.

Four years ago, more unexpected books from the past came from the past. After unlocking one of the two safes in the library, a treasure trove of 70 books was discovered. Many books written in French, Italian, English and Russian, the covers are decorated, some pages are gilded, several books are bound by hand. The cover of the oldest publication dates back to the 16th century, its contents – in the 18th century.

More than books

Today, about 30 thousand people are kept at the Vincas Kudirka Central Library. publications – novels, scientific, fantastic literature, historical, biographical books, etc. throughout the network, which consists of 21 library – just over 300,000. publications. Worn, outdated, written off by their content, and new ones take their place. Books are delivered to the library once a month. The consignment also arrived at the end of April, just on the day the institution celebrated its anniversary. There were more visitors that day. 100 years now is not everyday!

« We have about 44 thousand registered users, but we also count visits, » said readers of the library department and divisions last year by readers of more than 630 thousand. times. Not only did they borrow books, they also participated in various events organized by the libraries – training, education, book presentations.

Interestingly, the treasure was discovered in this safe – seven dozen old books. Photo by Regimantas Zakšensk

« When it comes to the library, we are still confronted with certain stereotypes.

The concept of the library has also changed – its boundaries have expanded. V. Kudirka Library today is not only a 21 branch connection, but also domes in city parks, where books, toy, book exchange spaces are summer.

Holiday signs

The library is open to everyone, so the portrait of the visitor is very different. In the mornings, there are more seniors spreading the press, after classes and lectures, students and students are deposited, and middle -aged citizens after work. Increasingly, temporary jobs in the library spaces are set up by people who are not required to sit in the offices.

« There is no need to have a reader’s certificate to enter the library, but it is necessary to borrow a book, » M. Balseviciene urged to make a mistake and take advantage of an extraordinary opportunity.

Since January this year, the reader’s certificate or duplicate is issued free of charge. It can be obtained in all library units and units or on the website www.ibiblioteka.lt;

« Having decided to have a physical card this year will be pleasantly surprised, » it became clear after a moment what the head of the Cultural Management Department had.

The plastic reader’s certificate was decorated with an exceptional illustration of artist Gabrielė Gudaitytė, created by the artist. It depicts the library’s everyday life – shelves with books, reading people. The illustration also found itself on a reusable commemorative library bags, 2025 calendar, one-bite chocolate tile.

The key is to read

As children approach adolescence, reading often becomes a less enticing activity. Librarians note that the number of young readers after pandemic has decreased slightly. It is possible to fall in love with reading and should be done at the earlier age. The best example is parents. When a mom or dad reads, then the child also binds the reading process with pleasure.

Recognition: No doubt the library in Laisvės Alley is not only one of the oldest but also one of the most beautiful. Photo by Regimantas Zakšensk

« We have family clubs and we invite them to join them with their little ones.

During the meetings, engaging stories, creative workshops, educational activities, fun games, other activities that grow and read books and reading are read. Exceptional attention not only to the little ones, but to the older generation, who cannot imagine their days without book and reading, but not so well in the virtual space.

« FREE Population Training Services – Consultations, Individual and Group Computer Literacy Training – Consultations, Individual and Group Consulting Services in the Public Internet access units and units. Balseviciene.

Librarians do not see anxiety that older readers, who have learned to use smart devices, abandon traditional, printed books and only choose audio books. Each format has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice is usually determined by lifestyle, habits and personal hobbies. There are no audio books at the V. Kudirka Library, but people with visual or other disabilities can borrow audio books here. Special players are also given free of charge. Visual disabilities can also borrow books from the virtual library Elvis. For those who want to borrow audio books from Elvis, an electronic publications management information system, registration is necessary, and literature is only available to those who, when registering, provide a document issued by a physician confirming the condition that they cannot read in the usual way.

« One of the functions of the library is to encourage reading, so I will repeat that it is not important how it will be done.