New reading promotion methods, creative learning activities, artist residencies, digital literacy initiatives, sustainability solutions and stronger reading communities are among the changes introduced in public libraries across the Panevėžys region as a result of Erasmus+ activities implemented in 2025–2026.
The Erasmus+ accreditation project in the field of adult education, coordinated by the Panevėžys County Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library in partnership with twelve municipal public libraries, has provided international learning opportunities for both library professionals and adult learners.
During job-shadowing visits to Germany, Finland, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Luxembourg, librarians explored good practices that they subsequently adapted to their own libraries. Book club members participated in international learning activities in Spain, Germany and Slovenia, while training sessions delivered at the Bitė Library by five invited experts from Greece, Germany, Iceland and the Czech Republic enabled more than one hundred library professionals from the region to develop their professional competences.
New Methods for Promoting Reading
Experiences gained in Finnish libraries inspired new reading initiatives. The Skiemonių Library in Anykščiai District organised an Easy Reading session in English, the Palėvenėlė Library Service Point in Kupiškis District introduced the Shared Reading method, and a new reading club, Tarp eilučių (Between the Lines), was established.
Following a visit to Denmark, the Bitė Library launched the initiative Tai, kuo norime dalintis (What We Want to Share), featuring books recommended by library staff on a dedicated shelf.
Further opportunities for promoting reading emerged from training delivered by Tereza Šediva and Radek Hanka from the Pardubice Regional Library in the Czech Republic. Librarians explored the LEGO Six Bricks creative reading method, which combines literary discussions with construction, interpretation and reflection activities.
International Reading Experiences and New Communities
In 2025–2026, book club members from the Panevėžys region participated in Erasmus+ adult learner mobilities in Spain, Germany and Slovenia.
In Barcelona, members of the Bitė Book Club joined local Lithuanian readers for literary discussions, creative activities and a literary walking tour inspired by Ildefonso Falcones’ novel Cathedral of the Sea. At public libraries in Gera and Rudolstadt, Germany, Lithuanian and German readers analysed literary works together, exchanging interpretations and cultural experiences.
In August 2026, 24 book club members from the Panevėžys region participated in a mobility in Slovenia, where they met local readers, discussed literature from both countries and explored library reading promotion activities.
These mobilities strengthened participants’ critical thinking, communication and intercultural competences, self-confidence and motivation to learn. Equally important were the new connections established among readers from different municipalities in the Panevėžys region.
The friendships formed in Slovenia inspired the establishment of Atviri puslapiai (Open Pages), a virtual regional reading club launched in August 2026. The club brings together residents from different municipalities for regular literary discussions based on independent reading, sharing insights and respectfully exchanging opinions. It is a clear example of how international mobility experiences can develop into a continuous adult learning programme.
Invited Experts – New Opportunities for Educational Activities
In 2025–2026, training sessions delivered by invited international experts at the Bitė Library expanded the methodological competences of regional librarians and provided new ideas for adult learning activities.
Konstantinos Agogiatis from the National Library of Greece introduced methods for using exhibitions and cultural heritage in educational activities. Richard Martin, a professional storyteller from Germany, provided training in storytelling techniques and their application in community activities and foreign language learning.
Icelandic writer and illustrator Kristin Ragna Gunnarsdóttir introduced visual storytelling methods that help develop creativity, self-expression and interpretation skills. Experts from the Czech Republic presented opportunities for creative reading and experiential learning using the LEGO Six Bricks methodology.
More than one hundred library professionals from the region had the opportunity to try out new methods and explore how they could be applied in their own libraries. Training delivered by invited experts made international professional learning accessible to a much wider group of staff than could participate in outgoing mobilities.
More Accessible Digital Education
Experiences gained in Czech and Finnish libraries inspired new digital literacy initiatives.
The Kurkliai II and Skiemonių libraries in Anykščiai District launched Pagalbiukas (Little Helper), an initiative providing residents with individual assistance in using digital technologies without prior registration.
Anykščiai Public Library developed Saugus žingsnis internete (A Safe Step Online), an interactive game featuring 140 questions, and began preparing a workbook of practical digital literacy exercises. Other libraries used artificial intelligence to develop mobile phone user guides for adult learners.
Creative Spaces and Artist Residencies
Experiences gained in Luxembourg encouraged libraries to strengthen cooperation with professional artists.
The Andrioniškis Branch of Anykščiai Public Library established facilities for artist residencies, welcoming playwright Teklė Kavtaradzė as its first resident. Ignalina Public Library became involved in the creative residency project 19 amžiaus atspindžiai (Reflections of the 19th Century), while Kupiškis Public Library established Kūrybiškumo erdvė – Gedimino 53B (Creative Space – Gedimino 53B), a space dedicated to adult educational activities.
New artist residency projects were initiated in Molėtai and Panevėžys District libraries. At the Smėlynė Branch of Panevėžys Elena Mezginaitė Public Library, exhibitions were complemented by educational activities and meetings with artists. The branch also hosted a professional learning placement for nine female library specialists from the region.
Sustainability Initiatives in Libraries
Experiences from Denmark, Finland, the Czech Republic and Luxembourg inspired sustainability initiatives across the Panevėžys region.
The Mikoliškis Library in Pasvalys District began lending refurbished reusable bags, the Baibiai Branch in Zarasai District launched a series of workshops entitled Suteikime daiktui antrą gyvenimą (Give Things a Second Life), and Molėtai Public Library organised sustainability workshops.
At the Bitė Library, Daigėlynas, originally a plant exchange area, was transformed into a space for nature education and learning activities. A nine-member staff team was also established to develop the library’s sustainability strategy.
Active Ageing and Language Learning
Experience gained at an adult education centre in Naumburg, Germany, was applied at the Bitė Library’s senior club Šiltos akimirkos (Warm Moments), where a board games group was established to encourage mental activity, communication and social connections.
The library’s English Conversation Club Let’s Talk introduced the Visual Thinking Strategies method following an Erasmus+ visit. By analysing works by street artist Banksy, participants practised expressing their ideas spontaneously, supporting their opinions and using English more actively. This experience was complemented by Richard Martin’s storytelling training for club volunteers.
New Library Services and International Cooperation
International experiences also inspired changes in everyday library services. At the Mikoliškis Library in Pasvalys District, readers are encouraged to search for and select books more independently. At the Bitė Library, the photography exhibition Paviršiaus kodas (Surface Code) was complemented by a literary display entitled Mane įkvėpusios knygos (Books That Inspired Me). A concept for an educational tour, Žaliosios Panevėžio erdvės (Green Spaces of Panevėžys), was also developed, with implementation planned for 2027.
Public libraries in the Panevėžys region are also increasingly becoming host organisations for international learning visits. In 2026, the Bitė Library welcomed Erasmus+ participants from Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic who were interested in non-formal adult education, language and book clubs, volunteering and community engagement. In this way, regional libraries not only adopt good practices from abroad but also share their own successful approaches with international partners.
International Experiences Leading to Long-Term Change
The results of Erasmus+ activities implemented in 2025–2026 demonstrate that international learning is an important driver of innovation and development in public libraries across the Panevėžys region. Knowledge gained through job-shadowing visits is being applied to develop new services, training delivered by invited experts strengthens librarians’ professional competences, and adult learner mobilities encourage active participation, intercultural understanding and stronger reading communities.
Importantly, these changes are taking place not only in larger libraries but also in small-town and rural branches, where even modest innovations can significantly expand opportunities for learning, creativity and social interaction.
The true value of Erasmus+ becomes evident when international learning goes beyond individual professional development and leads to tangible changes in library activities – new learning programmes, services, community initiatives and sustainable partnerships.
Virginija Švedienė
Specialist of Educational Activities
