Lithuanian Public Libraries

The Library was established in 1921 and was known as a Central Bookshop until 1937. During the war the Library was burned.

In 1951, the District Children’s Library was opened.

In 1960, the District Library and the District Children’s Library moved into the new building intended for the cultural centre and the Library and operate here until now.

In 1992, the building of the cultural centre was handed over to the Central Library.

In 1995, the Book Museum was established in the Public Library possessing 1,000 of exhibits and collecting the material about Raseiniai region and its famous people.

In 1996, the branches of the Public Library were reorganized: 6 village libraries were closed and 12 basic school libraries were affiliated to the village branches of the Public Library.

In 2002, information centre with the Internet access was established. In 2004, renovation of the building of Raseiniai Public Library has been started.

In early 2005, the stock of the Library comprised 110,020 items of documents. The present structure of Raseiniai District Municipality Public Library includes: Administration, Readers Service, Children’s Literature, Methodological, Acquisition & Processing departments, 32 village branches and Ariogala city branch. As of 2004, 360,385 items of documents used by 10,904 users were stored in the stock of Raseiniai District Municipality Public Library and its branches. The Library stores some special collections: Stasys Džiugas collection (over 4,000 items); collection of old and rare prints (over 1,500 items); collection of personal belongings of Stasys Šiuškus; card collection of Pranciška Lauraitytė (300 items).

The Library hosts the district’s Dubysa Literary Club, the Exciting Acquaintance Club, Draugystė Healthy Life Style Club, and the district’s Sodžius Folk Artists Club. Together with the district’s Dubysa Literary Club, Raseiniai Public Library is organising the traditional annual Spring of Poetry festival in Pasandravys, the birthplace of Maironis.