About Library

History

In 1902 the first library was opened for the public of Siauliai city. Its functioning ceased in 1914 when World War I broke. 1920 saw the beginning of efforts to restore its work. Finally it was reestablished as the State Public Library which was the only one as such in the city until 1950.

From 1951 onward Siauliai city witnessed a more rapid growth of public libraries: during a period of 25 years 9 mass libraries sprang up. In 1977 they were joined into one centralized system: a united library network with common book stock, staff and centralized acquisition was set up. In 1977, July 1, on the base of the 2-nd Mass Library (founded in 1951), Siauliai City Central Library emerged. It had 7 departments and 9 branch libraries. The administration office with several departments were provided accommodation at 83b Tilzes street.

In 1991, June 1, the centralized library system was reorganized. The rearrangement of book stock on the basis of Universal Decimal Classification (UDK) began. In 1995 The Seimas introduced The Law on Libraries which influenced further activities of the Central library and its branches. The order issued by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania and bylaw Nr.187 changed the name of the library. Since November 13, 1995 Siauliai City Central Library has been called Siauliai City Municipality Public Library.

In 1996 all the activities of the Siauliai City Municipality Public Library were directed towards putting into practice The Law on Libraries. The Library’s functioning was determined by the library regulations, confirmed by the City Board in March 18,1996 taking into account the approbated library net pattern. In March 25, 1996 new names of the Municipality Public Library and its branches were confirmed.

Beginning of computerization was one of the underlying library activities. The software programme UNICAT was used to start compilation of the library electronic catalogue. In 2000 LIBIS software programme was installed .Consequently the process of compilation and cataloguing was computerized. The Library has created its own website www.smsvb.lt

In 2000 for the first time in the history of Siauliai City Municipality Public Library a charged library ticket was introduced, various priced services sprang up.

In 2001 information services spread on. In Bibliography- Reference reading room an Internet reading room was launched into operation. Subscription to various electronic databases began.

In 2002, January 1 Ziburys Branch library was closed. After privatization of the library premises at 83b Tilzes str. Siauliai City Board made a decision to close Ragaine branch library. Consequently, Administration, Counting, Methodics and Maintenance departments were provided accommodation at 13 Lyros str.

In 2005 LIBIS users’ subsystem was put into operation in Reader Service Department , and a joint LIBIS electronic reader ticket was introduced.

2006 saw the beginning of reconstruction of the library premises included into Programme on Libraries Renovation and Modernization for 2003 – 2013:

In 2006 the Government of The Republic of Lithuania and Siauliai city municipality funded renovation of the premises of Children’s Literature Department (Gvazdiku takas 8).

In 2007 the building at 27 Aido str. which incorporates Reader Service Department, Bibliography – Reference Department and Aidas branch library was renovated too.

The Library was included into The State investment program for 2007-2009. Consequently means from the state budget funds were allocated to renovate the premises of Saltinelis branch library ( Trakų str.20A). Reconstruction was done in 2007-2008.