The Project “Libraries for Innovation 2” Introductory Conference is designed for Lithuanian libraries and their partners, local authorities, central government and other invited guests. The conference will present the project “Libraries for Innovation 2” goals, objectives, and projected business. It will gather around 200 participants. Introductory Conference aims to announce the start of the Project, introduce potential Project applicants with Project guidelines.

Conference date: February 25, 2014
Conference Venue: Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Gedimino ave. 11, Vilnius

About project “Libraries for Innovation 2”

Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania together with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation signed a cooperation agreement on implementation of new project „Libraries for Innovation 2” in Lithuania this November. Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania will implement the project which started on December, 2013.

Successful implementation of the project "Libraries for Innovation" (lasted for 4, 5 years, 2008-2011) eliminated differences of informational infrastructure of rural and urban areas. During this period many of the country's public libraries have been computerized and are able to supply public Internet access. The project "Libraries for Innovation" strengthened positions of public libraries as modern, contemporary centers of attraction. The value of the project was about 112 million Lt.

The new project “Libraries for Innovation 2” aims to strengthen capacity of libraries to meet the evolving community needs and to establish sustainable community-based libraries as institutions that can improve the quality of life of the Lithuanian people. Project “Libraries for Innovation 2” will teach and encourage public libraries to develop projects for existing and new library services as well as get funding for these projects. The project “Libraries for Innovation 2” will promote libraries’ cooperation with business, local government and NGO organizations, thus helping to build stronger capacities of libraries.

During the first year of implementation of the project Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania will organize trainings regarding development and implementation of projects for libraries’ staff. Training sessions will be organized on following topics: project development, consumer analysis, innovation development, advocacy, outreach, impact assessment, project management and leadership.

Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania will organize launch calls for proposals of public libraries at the end of 2014. Selected projects will get funding for their implementation.

Project “Libraries for Innovation 2” will develop library staff capacity to create new services, based on local community needs, reduce social and digital divide, increase the use of public libraries’ services, improve competences of libraries staff of use of information and communication technologies (ICT), project management and advocacy.

Social researches, helping to assess project impact for human well-being and digital divide decreasing trends will be carried out at the beginning of the project, as well as during implementation and after finishing it.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania grant the project “Libraries for Innovation 2” for over 12.5 million Lt. (4.9 million dollars).