Lithuanian
Librarians'
Association

Lietuvos bibliotekininku draugija

In 1997 not only Lithuania, but all Lithuanian friends in the world celebrated the 450th anniversary of the first Lithuanian book. The State Commission of the 450th Anniversary of the First Lithuanian Book by Martynas Mazvydas was established, which coordinated all the events, of the anniversary. The Commission suggested to establish a library of the Lithuanian community in Tilze (German - Tilsit, Russian - Sovetsk) - the region, inhabited by Lithuanians in the territory of Russia. The Ministry of Culture will administer a funding for a librarian from 1999. All practical work was arranged and performed by the group of Adomas Mickevicius County Public Library headed by the director Petras Zurlys and Andromeda Zandadraviciene, an office manager of the Lithuanian Librarians’ Association (LLA).

The temporary premises for the library were donated by the Christ Resurrection (Kristaus prisikëlimo) church of the Lithuanian community in Tilze, in an auxiliary building. Later the library will be moved to the memorial house of Vydunas after the renovation will be over.

According to the decision of the heads of the Lithuanian community of Tilze a citizen of Lithuania Lina Rapaliene was invited to the duties of a librarian.

The main aim of a project - is to serve the Lithuanian community in Tilze with books, periodicals and information. The Lithuanian community in Tilze should be provided with books and periodicals from Lithuania, textbooks for children and adults.

During 1998 an arrangement of a library was going on: books, furniture, a computer, toys for the smallest readers, other necessary things were bought. The periodical were subscribed “post restante” - for a librarian or authorized person to bring to the library.

In September 1998 a meeting in Tilze was organized. It was attended by the representatives of Lithuanian community of Tilze:

• Janina Budriene - a member of the board of Vydunas Lithuanian Cultural Association of Tilze
• Andrius Eidintas - a dean of Christ Resurrection parish
• Zofija Kyniene - head of Ragaine (German - Ragnit, Russian - Neman) Lithuanian community library head
• Lina Rapaliene - a librarian of Martynas Mazvydas Library of Tilze Lithuanian Community
• Sigitas Samborskis - Chairman of Karaliaucius (German - Königsberg, Russian - Kaliningrad) Lithuanian Community

Representatives of Lithuania were:

• Vytautas Gudaitis - senior specialist for libraries of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania
• Domas Kaunas - professor of the Vilnius University, Secretary of the Commission of the 450th Anniversary of the First Lithuanian Book by Martynas Mazvydas
• Petras Zurlys - director of Vilnius County Adomas Mickevicius Public Library

Participants of the meetings visited the premises of the library, discussed the future of the project. The material conditions of cultural situation within the Lithuanian community in Karaliaucius was discussed also.

The meeting stated, that the material support of the Lithuanian Government is very much important to the development of cultural and information work in Karaliaucius region.

Address: Sv. Ignoto 6-108, LT-01120 Vilnius, Lithuania
Telephone/fax (370 5) 275 03 40
E-mail: lbd@vpu.lt

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Last updated 18 January 2005