Lithuanian
Librarians'
Association

Lietuvos bibliotekininku draugija

1. General Principles

1.1. The restored Lithuanian Librarians Association (further referred to as the LLA) continues the traditions of the union of the Lithuanian citizens which existed in 1931-1941 under the same name.

1.2. The LLA is the independent, voluntary professional organisation of librarians (and the specialists of related professions - bibliographers, information specialists, publishers, etc.). It functions according to the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, the Law of Public Organisations and other laws, also this Statute.

1.3. The emblem of the LLA is a circle with an opened book, two books above it - resembling the flying birds, an inscription on the top Lietuvos bibliotekininku draugija At the bottom of the circle on the black background there are white capital letters LBD (abbreviation for Lietuvos bibliotekininku draugija).

1.4. The LLA operates in all territory of Lithuania, establishes it’s structural departments. The headquarters of the LLA are situated in Sv. Ignoto str. 6, Vilnius, Lithuania.

1.5. The LLA possesses a status of a juridical person, holds a seal, bank accounts, symbol. It is a non-profit organisation.

2. Aims and Objects

2.1. Aims of the LLA

2.1.1. To unite the members of the LLA into a professional organisation, to represent their professional interests.

2.1.2. To develop the librarianship, to advance the role of libraries in the society.

2.1.3. To stimulate the scientific research in librarianship.

2.1.4. To improve the professional skills of the members of the LLA, to raise their qualification, organise conferences, seminars, courses, training, etc.

2.1.5. To prepare the proposals for the Government and local authorities on the improvement of a library work.

2.1.6. To develop the relations of the LLA with the similar associations, organisations and institutions in foreign countries.

2.2. To achieve these objects the LLA chooses following forms and methods:

2.2.1. Stimulates professional initiative among members.

2.2.2. Participates in a protection of members, takes care of it’s veterans, depending on possibilities provides material support for them.

2.2.3.Stimulates the collection and publication of the material on library history, theory, methods and education.

2.2.4. Fosters the heritage of the Lithuanian librarianship and bibliography.

2.2.5. Publishes and distributes professional publications.

2.2.6. Organises meetings, conferences, symposia, congresses and other events.

2.2.7. Arranges the lectures and public meetings with librarians and other specialists.

2.2.8. Exchanges information and delegations of specialists with similar foreign associations, represents Lithuania in the international organisations.

2.2.9. Designs the draft documents regulating the activities of the Lithuanian libraries.

2.2.10. Promotes reading and bibliographic literacy in the society.

2.2.11. Defends the right to receive versatile and impartial information, takes care and participates in its realisation.

2.2.12. Organises meetings, pickets, demonstrations, processions, other peaceful unarmed meetings and other public events provided by the law.

3. The LLA Members

3.1. The LLA consists of personal and honorary members. They are registered in the LLA departments.

3.2. Membership in the LLA is available for any citizen of the Republic of Lithuania, who recognises the Statute of the LLA, helps to implement the programmes of the LLA and pays the membership due.

3.3. The honorary members are the people, distinguished in the Lithuanian librarianship. When recommended by the LLA departments, the LLA Board the Annual Conference or Congress they are elected by the Board of the LLA. Honorary members are released from membership dues.

3.4. Every year the LLA department compiles a list of members, the original copy is given to the LLA Board. Any members has the right to see these lists. Lists are managed by the secretary of the LLA.

3.5. The LLA member has the right:

3.5.1. To participate in the LLA events, to make the suggestions for the activities.

3.5.2. To represent the LLA in other institutions and organisations according to his competence and authorisation, provided by the President or the Board of the LLA.

3.5.3. To cease the membership in the LLA after informing the LLA department which has enrolled him.

3.4.5. To elect and to be elected to all positions of the LLA.

3.5.5. All the LLA members have equal rights in spite of the enrolment fee or membership due they pay or support they provide.

3.6. The LLA member is obliged:

3.6.1. To keep to the Statute and decisions of the executive bodies of the LLA.

3.6.2. To participate in the realisations of the objects of the LLA.

3.6.3. To pay the entrance fee and annual membership dues. The entrance fee and annual membership due is 1 per cent of a month salary. The department of the LLA transfers 50 per cent of entrance and annual membership dues to the Treasurer of the LLA. Another 50 per cent is used to the needs of the LLA department. The size of a due and payment order could be altered by the Annual Congress or Conference of the LLA.

3.6.4. To present the arguments and complaints to the LLA Board. If the decision of the Board does not satisfy the applicant, the application is presented to the LLA Congress or Conference.

4. Organisation Structure and Management

4.1. The LLA consists of departments, executive and control bodies.

4.2. The main unit of the LLA is a department. Departments are organised according to territories or types of libraries. The activity of a department could be stopped at the general meeting, if it is expressed by the will of 2/3 of members.

4.3. The activities of the LLA department are conducted by the Council (3 persons at least - Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer) elected by the majority of votes of the general meeting of the department members. After a department submits the original copy of members’ list it is registered at the Board of the LLA and follow this Statute. A department is not a juridical person.

4.4. The highest authority of the LLA is the LLA Congress. It is called by the Board once in three years. The delegates of the Congress discuss the main problems of a library work. The Congress is lawful if it is attended by more than a half of delegates, elected at departments following the LLA norms of representing. By the majority of votes the Congress:

4.4.1. Approves the alterations in the LLA Statute, the LLA Programme of actions.

4.4.2. Considers the draft documents regulating a library activity.

4.4.3. Defines rules of the election of the LLA Board and the Auditing Commission and the order of replacing their members.

4.4.4. Elects the LLA President, the Board and the Auditing Commission.

4.4.5. The reorganisations and self-stopping solutions are lawful, if they are given more than 2/3 of delegate votes.

4.5. The Congress out of turn could be called if the will is expressed by 1/5 of registered departments.

4.6. At the Annual LLA Conference reports of the LLA Board and the Auditing Commission are delivered, financial activity and department topics are discussed before the Congress.

4.7. The top executive body, working between the Congresses is the LLA Board. It is elected by the LLA Congress for 3 years. The Board is led by the President and Secretary. At President’s suggestion the Board elects Deputy Presidents and Secretary from the Board members. The Board:

4.7.1. The Board organises the LLA activities between the Congresses and the Conferences.

4.7.2. Keeps in touch with the departments of the LLA, co-ordinates their activities.

4.7.3. Guides the implementation of decisions of Congresses and Conferences.

4.7.4. Represents the LLA in other institutions and organisations.

4.7.5. Forms the working and provisional groups for the investigation of urgent professional problems and preparation of draft documents.

4.7.6. Manages correspondence, economics and financial affairs.

4.7.7. Registers the LLA departments and members.

4.7.8. Elects the LLA honorary members.

4.7.9. Reports to the Congress - the top authority of the LLA.

4.7.10. If the Board member leaves the LLA or in any other case he could not carry on his duties, he is replaced by the person from the list of candidates to the Board who has the highest number of votes.

4.7.11. According to the law of the Republic of Lithuania, the Board delegates a representative to the Lithuanian Board of Libraries.

4.8. The President of the LLA is elected for 3 years at the Congress by the secret ballot and majority vote of delegates. The President leads the LLA Board, co-ordinates the activity of commissions, reports to the Conference and Congress on his activity.

4.9. The Auditing Commission is the top inspecting body of the LLA. It is elected at the Congress by the secret ballot for the period of 3 years. It consists of 3 persons, decides on the positions of Chairperson and Secretary. The Auditing Commission performs all the inspection of the financial operations of the LLA. The Auditing Commission reports to a Congress.

4.10. The decisions of a Congress, Conference, Board meetings are accepted by the majority vote if 2/3 of members are present. If votes are equal, the vote of a President settles.

5. Legal Status, Economic and Financial Activity

5.1. The LLA is a juridical person, holds a seal and symbolic, disposes it’s own means.

5.2. The financial resources are accumulated of the membership dues, support from sponsors, objective payment, charity, other lawful income.

5.3.The property of the LLA are material values, premises, equipment, and materials acquired for own means or legally acquired from sponsors or other sources. Archive of the LLA. The property is acquired, calculated, protected and used according to the law and the order of the Board of the LLA. The archive is arranged and protected according to laws of the Republic of Lithuania and other standard acts.

5.4. Income from any sources could be only used to achieve the aims and objects described in the Statute of the LLA.

5.5. The means of the LLA are kept in the pay-accounts and currency-accounts in a bank registered by the republic of Lithuania.

5.6. The means are used for keeping up correspondence, developing relations with similar organisations in foreign countries, organising events, preparing material and publishing, issuing awards and allowances according to the decision of the Board of the LLA and the aims and objects described in the Statute of the LLA.

6. Cessation of Activities

6.1. The activity of the LLA is ceased according to the law of the Republic of Lithuania or the will of the delegates of the LLA Congress when expressed by 2/3 votes in a secret ballot.

6.2. The Congress announces a liquidation commission and it’s work schedule. liquidation commission operates 6 months since the decision to cease the activity and investigates, accepts or rejects the material or property claims to the LLA.

6.3. After the liquidation of the LLA it’s property is disposed of according to the decisions of the liquidation commission and following the laws of the Republic of Lithuania.