On December 11, the Community Space was officially opened at the Panevėžys County Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library.
Writer R. David Lankes once said: “Bad libraries build collections. Good libraries build services. Great libraries build communities.” Panevėžys County Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library has followed a long and purposeful path in turning the idea of the library as a community hub into reality.
Since the spring of 2025, the library has hosted a series of meetings bringing together its innovation team and representatives of various community groups, including local non-governmental organisations, the Panevėžys Region Association of People with Disabilities, participants of library clubs (seniors, English conversation groups, the Bitė Book Club), and the Panevėžys “Šviesa” Education Centre. During these discussions, participants jointly developed a vision for the community space, openly sharing their needs, expectations, and ideas.
As a result, the library space underwent significant transformation. The collection was reorganised without reducing the number of publications: shelves were moved away from the windows to allow more light and openness. Workstations and quiet relaxation areas with soft seating were created near the windows. New furniture, including a sofa and small tables, helps create a cosy and informal atmosphere. A musical instrument – a piano – was added, lighting was upgraded, and lifts for visitors with disabilities were installed. Improved signage makes navigating the collection easier for visitors. Of two staff offices, one was retained, while the other was repurposed for community use – for meetings, conversations, coffee breaks, rehearsals, and preparation for events.
The community space includes an activity calendar displaying all planned events, as well as a reservation system for meetings, training sessions, and other activities. Visitors are encouraged to feel independent and free to rearrange furniture according to their needs and the nature of their events. They are also invited to initiate activities themselves and to share suggestions for further improvements, ensuring that the space continues to evolve in response to community needs. The goal is to create a place people want to return to – a space full of life and engagement.
Future plans include investments in technical equipment such as a projector, sound system, and screen.
The library director Greta Kėvelaitienė expresses sincere gratitude to all community members for their shared journey in shaping the vision of this space and hopes it will become a vibrant meeting point, inspiring visitors to invite others and expand the circle of community.
The community is also invited to contribute to the continued development of the space by donating toys, enabling young families to visit with children – allowing parents to work or study while children play safely nearby.
The library becomes more than a place for books – it becomes a home for people, ideas, and growing community connections.
Photos Rita Raziūnaitė
