We grow fastest when we share our experience with those who pursue the same goals. This is exemplified by a public library innovation seminar held at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania between the 16th and 17th of August under the Young African Innovators Initiative (YALI) of the non-governmental organization Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL). The events and visits that took place in Lithuania and Poland between the 14th and 15th of August were aimed at providing the representatives of African public libraries with the experiences and ideas of other developing countries and countries in transition.

Interview with Director General of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania in the run-up to the IFLA Conference

Language is not just a tool of communication. It is an extremely interesting multi-layered structure encoding the experiences of the nation who fosters and develops it – its history, culture, and contacts with foreigners and their traces. A “pure” language untouched by other languages is an exception to the rule. In fact, there are virtually no pure languages in Europe. A quick glance at the dictionary can easily reveal the cross influences between different languages. For example, you can come across French words that have similar forms in the German language, and vice versa.

Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience of learning the art of playing 88 keys with 4 hands or, to put it simply, sharing the same instrument with another player. Or maybe you are looking for a place to relax and unwind? Our Music Space can be booked for 1-hour sessions of meditation, quiet time and relaxation accompanied by soothing music. All of our friends who love music are welcome to register for the activities held at the National Library during the month of August.

How knowledgeable are you about Israeli cinema? Many of us would probably blush upon hearing this question. Based on your general knowledge, perhaps you would guess that these are films about the history of Israel, Christianity, or Arab-Israeli relations. Hardly anyone, however, could mention specific films, their directors or cast members. Is it because we are two distant neighbours in terms of culture, history and geography? It is about time we got to know each other a little better.

In light of global developments, increasing migration flows and issues relating to the social integration of foreign nationals, the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania is launching a new project aimed at developing the competences of library staff in order to facilitate and promote intercultural and informational migrant education.

A Litvak is both a real individual and a stereotype. True Litvaks make stuffed fish (gefilte) with pepper but not sugar, and they speak in a specific Yiddish dialect. However, they are also known for their intellectual, rational and ascetic tendencies as well as other elitist characteristics that might make them incredibly boring people to spend time with. Some Jews even believed that Litvaks were tseylem-kep, i.e., that they were hiding a crucifix in their heads. 

Are you interested in IT? Programming? Are you into 3D or graphic design or game development? Or do you already work in one of these fields, but would like to improve your knowledge and learn something new? We have good news for you – in 2017, you can use free access provided by the National Library to www.pluralsight.com courses in English.

Genealogy and Local History Section of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)  jointly with Asia, Oceania and Information Technology Sections, the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania and Institute of Library and Information Sciences, Faculty of Communication, Vilnius University invite you to a joint open session of the IFLA Satellite Meeting, which will be held on 16–17 August. The theme of the session is The Challenge of Multiple Identities. Multiethnicity in Genealogy, Local History and Regional Memory – Challenges and Opportunities for Libraries and other Memory Institutions.

On 22 June, the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania was visited by a delegation from the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research as part of the international Lithuania & Poland Study Tour: exclusively for YIVO. The guide of this tour is Samuel Kassow, Professor of Trinity College (USA), who gave a lecture The Uniqueness of Jewish Vilnius during the opening of the Judaica Research Centre on 23 May.

On 5 June, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Lithuanian Memory of the World National Committee established by UNESCO, the Directorate of the State Cultural Reserve of Kernavė hosted a ceremony of awarding certificates to five custodians of documentary heritage whose documents or collections were entered into the National Register this year.

On 15–16 May, Prof. Dr. Renaldas Gudauskas, Director General of the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania participated in the 31st Conference of European National Librarians (CENL) in the British Library, London.

The Judaica Research Centre was established in the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania (NLL) on 3 May 2017; its official opening will take place on 22 May.

On Friday, 12 May, 4 p.m., Ralph Salinger, a famous Israeli researcher of Vilkaviškis Jewish community will visit the Hub of Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania (Gedimino 51). Mr. Salinger will speak about his research of Vilkaviškis Jewish community and his colleague Antanas Žilinskas will present his book Traces of a Lost Nation (Lit. “Dingusios tautos pėdsakais”). “These historical narratives recall the traditions and customs of Jewish people, and the way they were regarded by their Lithuanian neighbours. The tone of the book is very respectful towards the Jews who had created Vilkaviškis. It is the book’s greatest advantage,” said Mr. Salinger.

The 17th National Week of Lithuanian Libraries was opened on 24 April. On that occasion, Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania held the opening ceremony of the National Week of Lithuanian Libraries, where the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania Liana Ruokytė-Jonsson awarded the best country’s librarians of 2016.

Cinema has an extraordinary power to draw a person into the created world. Spending a few hours in a good movie allows us to rest and forget the daily cares as well as get some creative inspiration and wisdom. The Cinema of the National Library provides all conditions for this hobby to take root and become a space for your meaningful leisure or work.

In the run-up to the hundredth anniversary of the reinstating independence of Lithuania, we received some wonderful news: on 29 March, in the Political Archive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany (Berlin), Liudas Mažylis, Professor of Vytautas Magnus University, found the original of the Act of Independence of Lithuania in the Lithuanian language. On this occasion, the official facsimile of this Act and originals of the supporting documents were presented in the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania on 6 April.

The reconstructed National Library invites its visitors to benefit not only from the usual library services and functions, but also a variety of multifunctional spaces which allow enjoying creative as well as educational activities that promote communication. We are happy to introduce yet another space – the Art Lab, where the users can choose from a wide selection of creative activities.

We are taking another step forward and leave behind the traditional image of a mute and rather austere library. No looking back: the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania invites you to enjoy our newly equipped Music Lab open to those who play, write or wish to learn more about music.

From now on, our visitors have even more opportunities for their creative expression: would you like to record a song, present to a friend an audio book recorded with your own voice, record your own texts, poetry or other creative work? Do you play any instrument? Do you play alone or in a band? Would you like to make a professional record of an album or a song? The National Library makes it all possible.