Baltic libraries agree to deepen partnership

VILNIUS - Baltic national libraries have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership to address geopolitical challenges, protect cultural heritage, and strengthen regional representation in European institutions, the Martynas Mazvydas National Library of Lithuania said on Monday.

The meeting with the heads of Latvian and Estonian libraries was initiated by the Martynas Mazvydas National Library Director Ausrine Zilinskiene, who stressed the importance of close ties with neighboring countries.

"This meeting is a natural continuation of our relationships with neighbors and closest colleagues. It is also an opportunity to discuss topics most relevant to all three institutions. One of them is the LiLaEst forum, organized by our library this year, which will focus on cultural identity and its transformations," Zilinskiene said.

The directors also discussed the protection and potential evacuation of cultural assets during emergencies, drawing on the experience of Ukrainian libraries to prevent heritage destruction or theft.

Other topics included the integration of information systems, data interoperability, and strengthening the use of Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian languages in the digital space.

The meeting resulted in a unified position for representing the region’s interests in international institutions such as UNESCO, LIBER, IFLA, CENL, CERL, and Europeana.

The libraries emphasized their social role. Dagnija Baltina, head of the National Library of Latvia, highlighted the goal of supporting every resident, while Martin Oovel, director of the National Library of Estonia, underscored the importance of cooperation with educational and scientific institutions to increase social inclusion.