Abstract:
The independence of Lithuania has changed the publishing of books, journals and newspapers
essentially. The changes directly influenced the compilation and composition of the library's stock.
The statistical data of the Lithuanian publications have undergone immense changes: the run of
books has lessened, the numbers of titles have come up, the topics have alternated. The number of
titles published has increased 1.5 time (from 2500 up to 4000), the average run of one book has
lessened 4.5 time (from 13000 down to 3000). Every year during the period of 1996 - 2000 there had
been published 90 % of books in Lithuanian, 4 % (-150 books) - in English, 2,5 % (-100 books) - in
Russian, 1 % (-40 books) - in Polish and, on the average, 8 books - in Latvian, 6 - in Estonian and
2-3 - in Belorussian.
During 11 years the number of the journals has increased 4.7 times. When it was counted it
appeared that the library used to receive one new journal per 4 days during the period of 1996-1998.
The titles of published newspapers are not likely to change much.
While the topics of the current books alternate so it happens the same in the library's stock
compilation. The newly received publications mostly belong to the sphere of social science. The
changes have been also influenced by the national press. The major source of compiling Lithuanian
publications is the obligatory copy which we receive for free. The library has been receiving this free
copy since 1941.
