About us

The mission of the library is to create a coherent, efficient system of library services accessible to all groups of society with traditional and innovative solutions. To gather and unite various Lithuanian and foreign institutions and individuals for joint work. Contribute to the development of the information and knowledge society. To implement democracy, intellectual freedom, the right to information, cultural openness and Christian values, to nurture, promote and disseminate national and patriotic ideas.

Our vision - library as a modern center of spirit and mind, connecting everyone and everywhere. It is a school of cognition, creativity, passion for science and a passion for life for all members of the community.

The State Public Library with a reading room in Pasvalys was established on March 15, 1937. The famous prose writer Albinas Vaitkus, known as the future writer Marius Katiliškis, came to Pasvalys town and soon became the manager of the library. The library was closed at the beginning of the war and lost many books; however, it quickly recovered and became the center of Pasvalys culture.

In the post-war years, the library repeatedly changed its name, affiliation and structure. And in the year of the Revival, it regained its essence, that was lost during the Soviet era. Library became the restorer, custodian and disseminator of Lithuanian culture. The cultural traditions that have been established since the 1980s have been continued, and the spiritual values destroyed during the Soviet era have been restored. In 1994, the Pasvalys Library gained the name of Marius Katiliškis, and a year later a special library prize was initiated. 

Year 1999 marked the establishment of the Manuscript section of the library, the publication of the first issue of the national history and culture magazine “Northern Openings”, and the first performance of the “Kaukutis” Puppet Theater for kids, that took place in April.

In 2001, the library set its activities to work towards the development of modern information society. The electronic catalog of LIBIS is being formed, and the Internet Reading Room of the Information Center has been established.

Today, the library has traditional subscriptions and reading rooms for adults, children and people with individual and special needs - contributing to the national initiative “Library for All”.

Pasvalys Marius Katiliškis Public Library is an institution of culture, education and information. It has Regional Culture Documentation, Research and Dissemination Center, Regional and Art Exhibition Spaces/Galleries, local writers' spaces – personal Jonas Mikelinskas Library and Marius Katiliškis Memorial Room, a modern Audio-Photo studio, and the Philosophy Centre of Professor Algis Mickūnas. Various creative studios, laboratories and clubs’ activities are also organized in the library. A network of teaching and learning services has been developed. E-library pasvalia.lt – a virtual information system of the cultural heritage of the Pasvalys region is also constantly being improved.

The library hosts and organizes various classes, exhibitions, trainings and educational activities, as well as events for visitors of all ages. For children and youth there are an Open Youth Center, a Children's Space, a Children's Room with Play-Space that includes interactive or traditional toys and games, and a Multisensory Room.

The network of entertainment and skill-gain services is also being expanded - providing an opportunity to communicate, discuss, spend free time meaningfully, to improve and get acquainted – especially by integrating people with disabilities and people belonging to social risk groups. The Central Pasvalys Library unites 32 rural libraries in the region. More remote settlements are reached by a modernized mobile library, there is also a well-developed book carrying network.

Today, Pasvalys Marius Katiliškis Public Library has over 247 thousand prints in its collection, which are used by more than 5,500 regular subscribers. The library is visited by about 220 thousand people per year from Pasvalys region, other districts or abroad, and for over 162 thousand people, books and other prints were issued (based on 2021 data).