Philosophy

IN CORPORE! Established back in 1570, closely intertwined with the history of Vilnius University, Lithuania and Europe, during the long centuries Vilnius University Library has been fostering academic culture and traditions at the same time fearlessly facing challenges and introducing innovative solutions.

Mission

In line with the mission of Vilnius University, to create an inviting environment that supports information search, studies, research, and cultural learning.

Vision

Vilnius University Library is an environment which nurtures individuals into trailblazers.

Values

Tradition

We foster the values of the University
We are proud of the rich cultural heritage held in our library, we protect it and make it accessible to the public
Building on the experience of earlier generations, we continue to establish new traditions

Responsibility

We are professionals striving for quality
We encourage professional and personal growth of employees
We honour our commitments and keep our promises
Each and every one of us is an ambassador of our organization

Partnership

Our partnership with users and colleagues is based on trust and respect
In providing our services we enhance the interaction between scientific research, studies and business
In striving to achieve common goals we share our experience and knowledge

Openness

We value the freedom to express our attitudes, thoughts and ideas
We create an open environment for studies, research, work and communication
Our activities are based on transparent interaction with others

Drive

We strive to anticipate and meet the changing needs of our users and even exceed their expectations
We introduce innovative solutions and flexibility into our work
We face challenges by taking creative and efficient decisions

History

The Library was founded in 1570 by the Jesuits who came to Lithuania at the invitation of the Bishop of Vilnius Walerian Protasewicz. In 1579, after confirming the status of a university for Vilnius Jesuit College, the library officially became university library. Private collections of King Sigismund Augustus and Suffragan to the Bishop of Vilnius Georgius Albinius formed the core part of the Library. Extensive book collections were eventually bequeathed to the Library by other hierarchs of the Catholic Church and secular noblemen. During two hundred years of the Jesuits’ University, holdings of the Library increased from 4.5 thousand to 11 thousand volumes (in 1773). On the other hand, the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were not favourable to the Library as various wars, fires and plunders depleted it time and again.

After the Suppression of the Society of Jesus in 1773, Vilnius University was taken over by the Educational Commission and that meant a shift in research focus – the Library’s holdings were supplemented with books on natural sciences and medicine.

After the Third Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Lithuanian became a part of the Russian Empire. Since 1815 readers were allowed to borrow books and read them at home. The Library was moved to the current Aula Parva, a reading room with 90 places for reading was arranged there; an alphabetical card catalogue followed by an index one was launched.

On 1 May 1832 Tsar Nicolas I issued an order to close Vilnius University down. Major part of the Library stocks was delivered from Vilnius to other educational institutions of Imperial Russia. In 1856 former premises of the Library housed the Museum of Antiquities (established by the Archaeological Commission), which among other things had a Reading Cabinet. In 1865 the Museum of Antiquities with its Reading Cabinet was rearranged into Vilnius Public Library and museum.

In 1919 Vilnius was annexed by Poland. Vilnius University was re-established as a Polish university named after King Stephen Báthory, which was operating until 1939. In 1939 Vilnius was given back to Lithuania, but the work of the Library was interrupted shortly by the Second World War. After the war a pressing necessity arose to rebuild the ruined University and the Library. The Library managed to recover around 13 thousand books that were taken away from it in different periods.

In 1968 the Restoration Department and in 1969 the Cabinet of Prints and Drawings were founded at the Library.

After Re-establishment of Lithuania’s Independence, the most pressing issue was modernization of the Library. Since 1993, the Library maintains an online electronic catalogue. Since 2000 in collaboration with the other Lithuanian institutions, the Library has started subscribing to databases.

Since 2013 a new modern building of the Library – the Scholarly Communication and Information Centre – was opened in the Saulėtekis Technology Valley.