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Number of sistership established: 1

Country: Lithuania

Contact: laimal@uvb.lt

Description: Utena town is an administrative centre of Utena district. There are 47611 inhabitants in the district. Utena’s library fulfils cultural, informational and educational functions. It is one of the most advanced libraries in Lithuania. In the year 2002 Open Society Institute recognized the library as a model public library for Central and Eastern Europe countries for its active work in a purpose to become a modern community’s centre. Library has a considerable experience in participating in international projects – from 1998 until now library has participated in projects sponsored by Open Society Institute, EU Information Society Technologies program, Culture2000, Grundtvig, EIFL. The new building of the library was opened in 2008. The number of visitors is growing. Visitors can read, use the internet, databases, and library collections. Although the library is open for everybody, the major part of visitors is socially disadvantaged: retired people, unemployed, children and youth having learning problems, disabled people, poor and homeless. Library for them is the only place where they can not only spend their time, but also to learn. This is the reason why educational functions of the library are being strengthened: training classroom has been opened; training programs on computer literacy, digital competencies and other subjects have been prepared. The important sphere of library’s activities is the creation of the internet content. Library has about 200, 000 virtual visitors per year. The library was the first among Lithuanian libraries that implemented innovative internet projects: Utena Land Portal, Digital Encyclopedia of Utena Land, social network web site for local artists, inovative educational computer game for children ""The Challenger"", etc..

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Type of library: Metropolitan

Population served: Between 10.000 and 100.000

Current library programs:
  • Activities for children and young adults
  • Activities for seniors
  • Reading promotion
  • Technology Literacy (Digital Literacy)
Activities you want to do with your sister library:
  • Activities for children and young adults
  • Activities for seniors
  • Lifelong Learning programs

Languages spoken by staff: English, Russian, French

Languages spoken by patrons: English, Russian

Preferred countries for cooperation: No preferences

Searching partners for European program: Yes

Participating in any European Union program: No