Five library professionals from the Kaunas, Klaipėda, Panevėžys, and Šiauliai County Public Libraries, along with a representative from the Lithuanian Audiosensory Library, took part in London Tech Week 2025, held in the UK capital from June 9 to 12. The event, the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom, brought together global technology leaders, innovators, and over 45,000 participants.
This year’s exhibition showcased cutting-edge technologies, startup innovations, and visionary products developed by major tech companies. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from more than 500 influential speakers and participate in discussions exploring how emerging technologies are shaping society and the future.
The Lithuanian delegation focused on the practical application of artificial intelligence in library services. They explored new digital tools, software, and success stories from other institutions, with the aim of identifying solutions that could be adapted for use in Lithuanian libraries.
During the visit, the delegation also toured the British Library—one of the world’s largest libraries, with a collection exceeding 170 million items. The team was particularly impressed by the British Library’s integration of AI tools in managing rare document collections and streamlining daily operations.
An intriguing fact shared during the visit: if all the shelves of the British Library were laid end-to-end, they would stretch 746 kilometers.
The study visit was funded by the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania project “Improvement of General, Managerial and Professional Competences in the Cultural Sector.”
