The international job-shadowing initiative “DUOday” is being organized in Lithuania for the fifth time. The essence of this initiative is that people with disabilities or social challenges partner with various companies and organizations to become colleagues for one day. They spend the working day together, get to know the institution from the inside, and try out common employee tasks. This aims to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market, reduce social exclusion, and create a more open society. Such initiatives show that togetherness, understanding, and practical experience can be important steps toward greater opportunities for everyone.
Panevėžys Elena Mezginaitė Public Library consistently increases the accessibility of its facilities and services for people with disabilities. Therefore, we did not hesitate to join this international initiative for the third time this year. The library provided an opportunity for a participant to learn more about the librarian profession, try various tasks in a real work environment, and gain valuable practical experience.
On May 27, the Panevėžys Elena Mezginaitė Public Library welcomed Agnė, a visitor from the Panevėžys Social Change Center, as our DUOday participant. Senior Librarian Inga Matelienė spent half the day with her, guiding her through the library’s inner workings.
The day began with a warm, casual chat with the staff. Afterward, the guest toured the spaces and learned about our services, diverse activities, and daily routine. Since she had previously attended library workshops and events, the environment already felt familiar and welcoming.
She jumped right into the job-shadowing process, observing how collections are managed, how visitors are served, and how information is gathered. Soon, it was time for hands-on practice. Agnė checked the outdoor return box, sorted incoming books, and loaded readers’ orders into the book locker. She also helped take down and pack up an art exhibition, preparing the space for the next display. Finally, she shelved books by topic and alphabet, stamped, and assisted with other daily tasks.
This experience was deeply rewarding for both Agnė and our staff. Spending half a day together allowed the librarians to appreciate her diligence, confidence, and quick learning skills. Agnė was equally thrilled—not just with her new experience, but also with the warm welcome and a meaningful day. The activities increasedher knowledge and significantly strengthened her self-confidence. Our team was delighted to share their daily routine and experience. For us, DUOday is becoming a beautiful tradition that fosters openness, community, and social inclusion. We sincerely thank the Panevėžys Social Change Center for their cooperation, and Agnė for her curiosity, genuine interest in the librarian profession, and her responsible approach to every task. The day brought many positive emotions and helped us understand the needs of people with disabilities better. We believe that such initiatives build a more open, empathetic, and stronger society.
Text by Indrė Rapkevičienė, Anžela Vasiliauskienė
Photo by Indrė Rapkevičienė
Leave a Reply