Description of organisation

Klaipeda County Ieva Simonaityte Public Library, founded in 1950, serves as a center of information research and the provider of educational and leisure activities. The Library carries out functions of the Regional methodological center and provides methodological assistance for 11 centralized systems of Municipal Public Libraries. The Library is open to all visitors World Wide without any restrictions and age. The priority is to satisfy users’ and visitors' educational, cultural and information research needs. Klaipeda County Ieva Simonaityte Public Library functions are: the Klaipeda County depository of Lithuanian and foreign documents; the regional archival fund of published documents; the information center for social sciences and humanities, politics, economy and culture; the regional center for research and methodological assistance; the regional center of the Lithuanian Integrated Library Information System (LIBIS);
The Library provides access to collections of books; periodicals; serial and information publications; manuscripts; video and audio records and documents; old and rare printings; and documents of Lithuanian, foreign and international organizations.

The Library offers exhibitions and other cultural events that are open for all visitors. The library staff introduces the visitors to library services and provides qualified information and reference services. It has almost one million items in the Library fund, including 5000 antique and rare books. The oldest book in the library - Theologia moralis, which was published in Antverpen in 1678 m.; Library has several private collections of books and other significant research materials for the region. In the Gerlach's garret a permanent maritime heritage exhibition is exposed.

The library provides the following electronic services: book ordering, inter-library loan, reservation, extension of a term of keeping a book, etc. The library provides access to local and international databases, licensed in Lithuanian public libraries. There are 100 computerized workplaces in the library. The library organize various training activities, excursions round the library, volunteers activities, new books presentations, lectures, modern art exhibitions, cultural performances, after school programs, programs for reader development. Also Library implement more then 20 national, local and international projects per year of all kind: educational, training, innovative services creation, promoting reading and ect.

Library has open space for young people (14-29 years) and Educational space. Mission of spaces is to provide meaningful activities and safe leisure opportunities for self-realization and to facilitate their integration into the living environment. It is a safe, convenient, open space for everyone. A cozy place to read books, listen to music, watch movies, concerts, to watch information cognitive shows. Space for gaming tournaments (table games), spending evening with books, movies, discussion, artistic expression projects (exhibitions, musical evenings, etc.) or just to sit with a cup of tea. We always welcome and encourage proposals and initiatives from young people. The most important thing is that this is a place where young people can feel free and informal to spend their leisure time.
Library Statistics data:
Total number of registered library users - more than 18 000;
800 visitors daily;
About 700 public events, including 170 exhibitions;
Staff: 100; among them 69 professional librarians with university degree;
Klaipeda County Ieva Simonaityte Public Library internet site: www.klavb.lt