Panevėžys Elena Mezginaitė Public Library participates in the program for the development of new products and / or services of cultural and art organizations. The project Remote Meetings Space “Virtual Meetings ”was submitted to the Lithuanian Culture Council and partial funding from the Culture Support Fund was received. The aim of the project is to ensure the continuity of library activities, the development of digital and new products and services, which would be developed taking into account the restrictions on the provision of library services during and after quarantine and emergency.

In spring the Government of the Republic of Lithuania announced the quarantine and restricted the provision of cultural and artistic services. So libraries had challenges in re-planning activities and providing remote and virtual services to the population. Although visitors were not served in the library premises for some time, the activities of the libraries did not stop even then: remote and virtual cultural events were organized, educations were conducted, new books and exhibitions were presented.

During this period, children lost access to libraries and regular services. Therefore, Panevėžys Elena Mezginaitė Public Library Children literature department “Žalioji pelėda” (Green Owl) and other library branches serving children, educations were prepared and recorded: “My teeth and dental monsters”, creative activities for children under 3 years of age and their parents, educational cycle about emotions, herbs etc.; reading books on Youtube channel; Kęstutis Kasparavičius’ book “Evening Tale” was sounded; Emily MacKenzie’s book “Wanted! Ralfy rabbit, book burglar”was sounded; Kamishibai Theater stories; virtual games, puzzles,quizzes, etc.

For the convenience of users, all of this is already organized and available on YouTube’s Virtual Meetings channel.

Continuing the started work, remote libraries are established in the network libraries serving children, where representatives of culture and art are invited to meet with children: artists, folk artists, writers, folk theater, specialists working with ceramics, glass, etc.

The library presents an activity during which children will be taught to model 3D objects. During it, children will get acquainted with the basics of layout of three-dimensional objects and will have the opportunity to make a self-created objects with a 3D printer.

Representatives of culture and art of Panevėžys county will take part in the “virtual meetings”. Lidija Dailidėnienė, an artist, stained glass artist and a member of the Panevėžys Association of the Lithuanian Folk Artists’ Union, will lead creative / educational classes “Drawing Innovation in Glass”. During them, children’s imagination will turn into a wonderful piece of glass on a sheet of paper thanks to the artist. Sigita Adomavičienė, an artist, illustrator of children’s books, , will invite children to classes in artistic expression (drawing, graphics, painting, applications). Dainora Guokienė, a member of the Panevėžys Community of the Lithuanian Folk Artists’ Union, will teach works made of paper, the art of beading and decoupage. Actress, theatre teacher Birutė Beresnevičienė will lead educational classes in theatrical and musical expression, games that help to express herself. Art therapist Vaida Virbalaitė will lead a creative / educational session ” Let’s get to know our inner world”. It is the development of children’s emotional intelligence in art therapy. Children’s writer Neringa Tik (Neringa Sirtautienė) has prepared an educational session “I want fairy tales”, during which children will listen to fairy tales, and also create tales themselves. In the “virtual meetings”, children will have the opportunity to communicate and create with art teachers.

Project partners Rokiškis Rural Bajorai Culture Center Puppet Theater and Panevėžys District Ėriškės Culture Center Upytė Traditional Crafts Department.

You can find information about all activities on the library’s website http://www.panbiblioteka.lt/lt/ , library‘s blogspot https://zaliojipeleda.blogspot.com/, Youtube channel “Virtualūs susitikimai”(Virtual meetings)     https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYVm7yOT9UusFubOO4rnqJQ