Internship of five heads of Ukrainian national libraries at the National Library of Lithuania

From 10 to 12 April, the heads of five national libraries of Ukraine will be staying at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library in Lithuania. The programme of the internship includes presentations on the activities and experiences of the National Library of Lithuania in the implementation of national projects, development of buildings, information technology (IT) and service infrastructure.

The Ukrainian colleagues will be acquainted with the implemented building, security and fire protection systems, as well as tools and solutions for visitor management. The internship programme is financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania.

"We are pleased to continue our cooperation with our colleagues from Ukraine. This year we plan to welcome two more groups of Ukrainian trainees. We will invite library professionals to get acquainted with the infrastructure of public library services, their diversity and accessibility. The staff of libraries preserving the Ukrainian heritage will have the opportunity to learn from their colleagues in Lithuania", - says Aušrinė Žilinskienė, Director General of the National Library of Lithuania.

On the first day of the exchange, the Ukrainian librarians will meet with the Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr Ingrida Veliutė, to discuss Lithuania’s efforts and opportunities to contribute to the preservation and strengthening of Ukrainian culture and the development of the professional skills of cultural specialists.

The heads of the National Libraries of Ukraine from Kyiv, Odessa and Kharkiv will also visit and get acquainted with Vilnius University’s Centre for Scientific Information and Communication and its activities and experience in developing and providing high quality information services, opening up the rich holdings of scientific and cultural heritage to the general public.

The programme of the visit includes important meetings at the Ukrainian Centre, the establishment of which was initiated and patronised by the First Ladies of Lithuania and Ukraine, Diana Nausėdienė and Olena Zelenska. The meeting will discuss the directions and possibilities of developing cooperation with Ukrainian libraries. Opportunities will be explored and discussions will be held on how to contribute to strengthening support for the Ukrainian diaspora in Lithuania. The National Library has experience of working with Ukrainians and there is every possibility of continuing such initiatives.

The guests will have the opportunity to visit the Gediminas Castle Tower and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.