OREANDA-NEWS. January 26, 2011. Ukio bankas, taking into account critical situation in the country’s libraries supplying residents of Lithuania with new books, began cooperation with organizers of the event Elections of the Book of the Year and presented books written by the best Lithuanian authors to the libraries of Lithuania, reported the press-centre of Ukio bankas.

This year, 573 sets of the best books reached 314 Lithuanian libraries – 2865 books have been sent to the libraries of Lithuania, presented by organizers of the event Elections of the Book of the Year and Ukio bankas. Furthermore, Ukio bankas will invite authors of the best books to the meetings with their readers in different places of Lithuania.

The event Elections of a Book of the Year has been organized for the sixth time in Lithuania with the aim to encourage Lithuanian residents’ interest in the modern Lithuanian literature.

“Unfortunately, the situation in the libraries is really difficult because of present financial situation – libraries do not have what to offer to their visitors. While communicating with our clients in all Lithuania, we see that people are in need not of popular but high quality, professional culture. No doubt, the main source of it remains a book. We have decided to present books to the libraries that are named as the best books of the year written by Lithuanian authors – this way we will encourage to read our national literature. Later, we will invite the authors of the books, literature critics to the meetings with the readers”, - said Gintaras Ugianskis, Chairman of Ukio bankas Board.

The books reached libraries via units and branches of Ukio bankas – the bank’s employees visited libraries themselves or accepted the representatives of the libraries in their subdivisions.

In spring the authors of the best books will be invited by Ukio bankas to the meetings with the readers in various places of Lithuania – about 30 meetings of the writers and readers are planed to be arranged.

“Support of Ukio bankas allowed to present 5.5 times more quintuplets of the Book of the Year to the libraries than before. Actually, libraries receive especially few new editions and there are lines of people willing to read news. In order libraries could perform their function in the society, readers have to find there at least national literature in their funds. We know, that a Lithuanian book arriving to a library, its author, critic of literature is a great incentive to the reader of the country to be interested in the literature of our country. This year a Lithuanian book will become more available to the residents of our country”, - said Ruta Elijosaityte, one of the organizers of the event Elections of the Book of the Year.

Lithuanian libraries prepared applications and participated in the competition to get the books. The libraries - winners were presented by sets of books consisting of five best books of 2010 written by Lithuanian authors.

Presently, residents of Lithuania are encouraged to read books by Lithuanian authors, to vote and to elect the best book of the year 2010 for adults, youngsters and children. The authors of the books having received the most votes will be awarded in the international Vilnius Books Fair that will take place in February.

The event Elections of a Book of the Year is organized by Lithuanian Radio and TV, Ministry of Culture, M. Mazvydas National Library and Association of Reading and Literacy and supported by Ukio bankas.