The Queens Borough Public Library represents a fundamental public good in USA democracy. The Library provides the capital necessary for us to understand the past and plan for the future. The Queens Borough Public Library enters the second century, recognized as the most dynamic public library in the nation. This recognition arises from:

• the Library dedication to the needs of its diverse communities,
• its advocacy and support of appropriate technology,
• the excellence and diversity of its collections
• the commitment of its staff to its customers and the very highest ideals of library service.

Queens Library serves the population of two million from 63 library locations and six Adult Learning Centers. It circulates more library items than other library system in the country. More than 17.2 million items were circulated in 2000 year. There were 862920 active borrowers in 2000 year. Some 5974559 people attended 27702 free programs, including 162799 adults, 38228 young adults, and 3396432 children. Queens Library purchased more than 1088000 new items in 2000 year to update and improve library collections.

Queens Borough Public Library serves the most ethnically diverse population (over 100 ethnically groups) in the U.S.

The goals of three month training:

• to develop professional knowledge level studding Queens Borough Public Library mission and vision, learning and analyzing the new information about library development, applying new ideas to Zarasai Public Library work.
• to acquaint with the Central Library’s departments and divisions goals and activities, to study various kind of information services provided for customers in those departments
• to attend adult and children services seminars, computer skills training, regular staff meetings
• to develop working knowledge, repeating and analyzed some fields, working self – sufficiently, studying professional publications, journals and other information about Queens Borough Public Library and other different types of American Public Libraries.

The mission of Queens Borough Public Library is to provide quality services, resources, and lifelong learning opportunities through books and a variety of other formats to meet the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs and interests of its diverse and changing population

There are those departments in the Queens Library:

• Planning and Development Department
• Central Library Department
• Extension Services Department
• Program and Services Department
• Information & Technology Systems Department
• Plant & Facilities Operation Department
• Capital Program Management Department
• Human Resources Department
• Investigations & Security Department
• Public Relations Department
• Technical Services Department
• Queens Library Foundation

I had possibility to participate in almost all Departments’ activity, reflected the full range of services diversity for Queens’s community and sought to increase my knowledge in all aforesaid fields, but especially – in programs &services quality and diversity.

Strategic Planning Analyst M. Katherine Little introduced guiding principles contained in Queens Borough Public Library Mission and Vision statements and explained library’s Strategic planning process outlines.

Extension Services Department (ESD) Manager of Collections Karen Vermut, ESD Manager of Customers Service Bernadine Byer and ESD Staff Development Manager Madlyn Scneider represented Extension Services Department. The Gardens Hills, Langston Hughes, Broadway, Queens Village, South Jamaica, St. Albans, Flushing branches libraries have been visited. Every of these libraries are unique with one’s collections of books, musical cassettes, CDs and videos, created cultural and educational programs and services for customers.

The Flushing Library consists of Flushing Public Library, Adult Learning Center and International Resource Center (IRC) and includes a 225-seat auditorium, and the largest Children’s Room in Queens.

Opened three years ago, the Flushing Library International Resource Center is the new step in the Queens Public Library’s activity. The International Resource Center provides customers with reference and referral services. Private, institutional and corporate donors have generously supplemented the international Resource Center’s collections and programs. The International Resource Center is a citywide resource of information and materials about the peoples, cultures and economies of the world. The IRC houses various collections books about 55000 items: the International Dictionary collection, the International Business Collection, International Biography Collections, International Fiction Collection, The Chinese Cultural Collection, newspapers and magazines more than 250 titles, videos, CDs, and electronic databases. About 50% of the items are in English. There are collections in the 30 languages. The center houses rarely found outside research collections, including scholarly works and classic literature in original languages, in Lithuanian language too. The IRC seeks to establish links with other libraries that cannot obtain information elsewhere. The Queens Library participates with National Library of China, so users can access the catalog of the National Library, which contains a record of virtually every book published in China. The Center also houses an exhibition space, which is part of the Queens Library Gallery. The exhibits show the diversity of the world’s people. This Center is very good example how to involve diverse community to the Library’s activity and make use of the Library resources.

There is established Connecting Libraries and Schools Program (CLASP) center in the Broadway branch Library, strengthening links between schools and branches libraries in the Queens borough. The program helps to provide lifelong learning, organizing various workshops, educational programs. The program served 133074 students in all seven Queens’s school districts in 2000. Through that program, teachers and partners were encouraged to make greater use of the library’s resources. There are organizing class visits to the Library and School visits by Librarians. Especially programs include picture-book stories, book talks, library tours, introductions to the reference collection and registration for library cards. In the schools Librarians speak to classes.

The CLASP is a program of three library systems serving New York City: The New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library and the Queens Borough Public Library. The libraries work in collaboration with the New York City Board of Education and its local school districts.

This information is useful for Lithuania Public libraries, which seek to strengthen links and partnership cooperation with schools.

There is organized useful service in Queens Village Branch library – Mail –A-Book (MAB) for Queen’s residents who are homebound and unable to visit the branches. They can borrow the books and books-on-tape by call without any charges. The Library pays mail expenses. It was new idea for future to try organizing similar service for disable people in Zarasai District.

Langston Hughes Community and Cultural Center, South Jamaica and Flushing Libraries are unique for its modern equipments, security systems and services level for customers. The Langston Hughes Community and Cultural Center has biggest special Black Heritage reference collection. A new, over 1300 square meters facility was opened in autumn of 1999. The collection reflects the Black Experience in the Diaspora with the special emphasis on the United States, Caribbean, Africa and South America.

The new South Jamaica Branch was opened in 1999 too. It has innovative design and very modern customer service space accounted for an immediate skyrocket in community usage. Comfortable, modern and safe facilities are the main to how Queen’s community enjoys using the Library and branches. Sometimes the Lithuania Public Libraries branches’ librarians cannot upgrade more services and program ‘cause facilities haven’t enough space and are uncomfortable for users.

Adult Services Supervisor A. David Hill represented the Flushing Adult Learning Center. There are six Adult Learning Centers in the Queens Libraries system. The first Center was established seven years ago. For customers of the other languages, who are learning English, Center offers small conversation groups, various books in language skills and grammar, audio materials and computer assisted instructions. The largest Library managed program English-for-Speakers-Of-Other-Languages (ESOL) offers more than 80 classes taught by specially trained teachers. The Adult Learning Centers’ staff developed the tutor Guide" Queens Kaleidoscope" for working with themes. The kaleidoscope series developed primarily in literacy programs. The series show how tutors can use themes or topics areas of interest to the student to serve as contexts for reading, writing, listening and speaking. The themes are: culture wrappers: discovering sameness and difference, family relations, getting to know your New Community, Landlords, laws, migration and facing changes, roles men and women choose. Each guide contains: introductory activities, reading activities, activities for using the Library and the community as Resources, crossroads café episode at a glance charts, resources. The students can work in classes in small conversation groups, individually with audio and computer texts.

In Lithuania a lot of adult people seek to learn English or German languages. The Library can help them. Zarasai Public Library established Foreign Languages division and continue develop the services. It was good experience for me how to develop Adult services for our community.

Program and services Department represented departmental assistant Natalie McDonough. She explained the structure of the Department and described librarians’ duty responsibilities.

Coordinator of Young Adult Services Nick Buron, perfectly presented services and ongoing programs "Page Fellows program", "Summer Reading club", Open Mic Nights, young adults chess clubs, poetry "slams" and others for teenagers and young adult. The program "Teen "Net Mentors" trains and hires young adults on a part –time basis to assist library users one-to-one in the use of the Library computers. The teens are wearing the Library’s blue t-shirts. This program let to provide a valuable experience for young people.

Coordinator of Community Youth Services Kathy Degyansky introduced programs: CLASP, Latchkey and TOP and carried out the test in Astoria library branch. Latchkey Enrichment after- school program provides homework help and a safe place for children ages 5 to 12. This unique and invaluable program teaches children how to access information to excel in school. Latchkey replaces unsupervised after school time with creative programs that build strong homework habits that assure a lifetime of positive results. Video teleconferencing (TOP) technology is currently available in a number of branches. The teleconferences are organizing on various rare topics, for example: NASA, museums of nature History, modern Art and others.

Coordinator of Children’s Department Rosanne Cerny described Coordinator’s staff responsibilities for main areas – training, children’s collection development, programs and special events, grants, advisory and networking. The Queens Borough Public Library presents programs for children in order to:

• Introduce children to books and pleasure of reading
• Present exemplary art and illustration
• To include children of American and international nursery rhymes, folklore, poetry, music, mythology and stories
• Introduce children, parents and teachers to the services and collections of the Library.

There are organizing programs for preschoolers and programs for school-aged children. Three preschool programs: Mother Goose Time (or "lap sit" program), Toddler Time and Toddler Learning Center, are specifically designed to include parents or caregivers. Toddler Learning Center combine a children’s play group for ages 18 to 36 months, which a special learning opportunity for adults. Professionals from such fields as nutrition, physical fitness, speech and child psychology speak with adults, make simple referrals and give advice, while children enjoy games, toys books. Also there are organizing a great variety of programs that can be used school-aged children.

Many librarians present Arts & Crafts for children from 5 to 12 years old. Junior books discussion groups have also proved popular. Storytelling is a desirable skill for Children Librarians. Read aloud programs are informal. This kind of programming takes a little training. Summer Reading Club is one of the biggest programs. 142286 children participated in Summer Reading Clubs, improving their reading and just enjoying the world of books. Program and Services Department provides print material, small prizes and club button to each branch, which participate in that program. The branches are encouraged to have a festive party or meeting at the end of the summer to present completion certificates and remaining prizes to the best readers. They use themes, games, special programs and various agencies are encouraged to call to Program and Services Department to request programs for special occasions. The "After school Programs" include films, art, music, theatrical presentations and more for children ages 6 to 12.

This information is very helpful for development the new services for teens and children in Zarasai Public Library, because our priority is work with children.

New Americans Program (NAP) was perfectly presented by Head of NAD Adriana Tandler and Assistant Head Fred Gitner. The program provides special services people more than 100 nationalities in Queens. Queens Borough Public Library’s New American Program was established in 1977 to provide special services to the area’s many new immigrants. There are collections in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, South Asian and other languages, the material, helping to Queen’s immigrants to learn English, mail-A-Book service, Queens directory of immigrant-serving agencies, website "Community services", cultural programs, various publications and other services catering the needs of many Queens immigrants. Every Queens resident has possibility to mail books in Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Korean, Russian and Spanish free of any charge. Also there are available to non-English speaking Library users with interests in Asian, Russian, French and Spanish language web sites, through WorldLinQ. The New American Program offers free lectures and workshops in the most widely spoken immigrant languages of Queens on topics important to them: citizenship, job information, advice on helping children learn and other.

The Library organizes a lot of Special Services to customers with special needs. There is established Job Information Center in the Queens Library. This center provides individualized reference to adults’ job search strategies, training and education. The center also provides materials and workshops on topics related to employment. Information about job may be obtained by the few ways: using prepared lists with information, working with computer databases: Discover, Train, Dun’s Business Locator, selected directories, maintaining information about job. The Library serves people with special communication needs, blind and physically handicapped. They can use "talking books", Kurzweil Personal Reader, converting printed material into speech, telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD), TV Magnification system, which magnifies reading and writing up to 100 times. Those devices are available also in 21 branch libraries. The library organizes special programs: Health and wellness program, Sign-language program, and Prison program (which is orientated for inmates at the Queensboro Correctional Facility and Hospital Prison). Those services can be developed as new activity for Zarasai Public Library too.

Mindy Krazmien introduced the Queens Library Gallery. The Gallery was established in 1995 and is the new activity in the Queens Public Library work. The gallery offers museum quality exhibitions and cuts education activities. There are movable panels, track lighting, a video screening area; so all exhibitions are high quality and interesting for customers.

It was new and very useful experience, ‘cause last year Zarasai Public Library established the Art Division and expended services for customers. It was permitted in the Queens Public Library good possibility to work one week in QBPL Gallery and observe various programs for children, connected with Gallery exposition theme "Brainstorm". I could lend the volunteer Doris Kane (the painting teacher) methods of drawing lessons "The Bridge", "Line, shape, patterns and color". Storytelling, organized by children librarian on topic "Magnets", "Twins", "Fun with physic", "Potential + Kinetic Energy", were interesting and expressive, and helped me to take opinion about educational programs importance for children.

I studied Central Library Department (CEL) collections, designed to serve customers. Many of them are very unique and specialized to request of Queens Borough community. The collections are very rich. Most of them are circulated, even multimedia, CD-ROMs. There are about 30 electronic databases on a variety of subjects. Every librarian is responsible for development and circulation of different parts of collections and seeks to represent the collections in the best way. Twice a year, some branches the Library organize books’ selling. The customers have possibility to obtain books, music CDs, magazines and other material. The prices are very low. It is the one of the good way renewing the collections, because Central Library and the branches have limited space.

Mary Haines, Assistant director Central Library Department, introduced department organizational chart and staff responsibilities. Central Library department is the largest department among others Public Library departments. It consists of Business, Science & Technology Division, Central Circulation Services Division, Fine Art and Recreation Division, Information Services Division, Literature and Languages Division, Social science Division, Long Island Division and Youth Services Division and support services a lot of customers. The Central Library Department offers concerts and movies presentations and other recreational programs too.

Long Island Division includes history of the four counties of Long Island. There are genealogy, maps, photographs and other materials as well as books, manuscripts, journals and newspapers. There are created good conditions for customers to use photographs electronic database, manuscript microfilms copies. It was useful to observe daily works process and compare it with similar works, which are organizing in Zarasai Public Library Ethnographic documents Room.

Manager Nelson Lu and assistant Daniel Thom represented Business, Science & Technology Division (BST). The Division offers for customers’ natural sciences, astronomy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, earth sciences, biology, medical sciences, engineering, agriculture, management, building, computer sciences, small business, periodical collections. The customers can use special collection: automobile manufacturer’s service and repair, repair of TV, radio and computers, important databases: Government Printing Office Access, Health reference databases and etc.; The customers can use resources on CD-ROM: Business News bank, D&B Business Locator, Langeloth Foundation Convalescent, Care & Consumers Health Databases and others. There are a lot of online business resources customers can access from Queens Public Library and Flushing branch. ABI/Inform provides complete bibliographic business and management information. ABI Inform Global is the choice of researchers around the world for business information. Asian Business takes the business and financial news connected with Asian Business. EBSCO database offers full text for nearly 1300 scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, and international business and other. Economist Intelligence Unit database produces analysis and forecasts of the political, economic and business environment. The library also offers various industrial, trade professional and statistical directories, newspapers and journals either in print or in CD-ROM. The newest books are holding separately in shelves according themes "Cook books", "In the spirit", "Essential computers", "Job search", "pets", "Beauty", "Investing", "Home improvement" and others.

Alice Norris, Manager of division presented Central Circulation Service Divisions (CCS). At the Central Circulation desk over 5 thousand customers are served per day. Central circulation services offer material loans, current collections, located in front of the library entrance. The collections consist of bestsellers, popular fiction, and new non-fiction. Most of the titles are available for seven loans day’s period. The titles are in library shelves only few months.

Esther Lee, Manager of Division, introduced Fine Art &Recreation Division. There is the largest collection of books (150 thousand vol.) and magazines (4,5 thousand vol.) on art, music, theatre, dance, sports and games in that division. Also there is music score and libretto collection (over 25 thousand vol.), audio collection (23 thousand CDs and 3,5 thousand cassettes on music), books on type and CDs, Language study materials on cassettes, film and video collection (about 20 thousand videos, DVDs and VCDs) and picture collection. There is biggest circulation statistics among divisions in that Division. There is music scores catalogue before 1986, song titles indexed from selected songbooks, phonorecords available for special loan. Also there is extensive collection of books-on-tape on fiction and non-fiction over 44 different languages and unique picture collection of over 30000 pictures on selected topics such as African-Americans, Costumes, New York city, Portraits and USA.

To the end of 1999 Zarasai Public library opened the Art Room with "Library cinema" and expanded services for users. Studying the Fine Art & Recreation/Film & Video Division strategy of collection development and services for customers, let me understand in which way we need organize and continue similar action in Zarasai Public Library.

Donna Clampa, Assistant Division Manager represented Information Services Division. The customers can get various information services: answers to questions at the information desk, fax services: information can be faxed between the central Library and 23 participating branches, interlibrary loan services. For brief information customers can use InfoLine by e-mail and get the answer throughout 3 days.

Information about government officials, definitions of worlds, scientific facts, current events, old facts, and etc. information customers can get by phone, using Telephone reference service, which pays the Library, not customers. Rich and new reference books collection helps librarians to answer questions quickly and competently.

There is modern Cyber Center in the Public Library with 48-networked PCs and 24 printers. The customers have access to the resources available at central library. The Computers are used for Internet access, research and searching databases, word processing (software: Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Access), e-mail, as well as Library ‘s catalogs: InfoLinQ and WorldLinQ. Every Queens Library branch has computer terminals too.

Rebecca Wilkins, Manager of the Division, represented Literature and Languages Division. The division is divided into two parts and holds the fiction collection and non-fiction collection. The non-fiction collection houses materials for instruction in over 80 languages other than English, a collection of Large print books. Fiction and non-fiction books are in more than 40 languages; language instruction materials in over 70 languages.

Manager Monica Rhodd, Assistant Manager Christina Miller and librarians, working in the division, represented Social Services Division. The collection scope: philosophy, psychology, religion, politics, sociology, social works, law, public administration, education, geography, history, travel, biography serves special users needs on those topics. The customers also can use special features documents: New York City and selected U.S. and British newspapers, Carter G, Woodson reference collection of African-American culture and life, maps and atlases providing the every customer needs. There is the collection of law documents: Federal, New York State and New York City legal materials, including statutes, regulations and court decisions, College directories and catalogs, Civil service test study guides from the oldest till current volumes, New York City Planning Commission publications.

The database: Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a national information system that provides customers with access to education-related literature. The ERIC collection contains more than 800 thousand abstracts of documents and of journal articles. Customers can use full text of ERIC documents on microfiche in that Division. There is newspaper "New York Times" on microfilms since 1851, till current in that division.

I was interested in those fields very much and enjoyed observing works organizing process, services for customers’ quality and rich collections’ development. I studied the collection subject and compared it with Zarasai Public Library experience in that field.

Director of Investigation and Security Department Michael Daly represented his department, which maintains the extensive computers systems of security cameras and alarms, also ID information and educational programs organizing together with PSD. The 12-week program "At risk initiative" involves the risk group teens. The teens have possibility to develop computer skills, to help the Library in daily works, to participate in meetings with interesting people, to participate in useful workshops and other.

Administrator of Plants, Facilities and Operations Department Steven F. Heithaus represented the department structure and the action. He explained that safe, clean, comfortable facilities are central to how customers enjoy using Queen’s library and this is the main goal of the department.

Director of Capital Program Management Rob Waters told about library’s building programs. The programs are intended to serve to an architect for functional requirement (public areas and non-public areas) and relationships (collection and seating) along with require service capacities which any design for the proposal any library must accommodate. The project of public library building must represent flexibility for future programs changes. The library projects have special and general design considerations, specific architectural considerations, interior requirements (electrical requirement lighting requirement, communication systems, floor covering and others), special features (fire alarm, security system, windows, display area, clock and etc).

This is very new and useful information. In 2000 year Lithuania government supported public libraries initiative for libraries’ building renovation program. Zarasai Public Library prepared Library building renovation program too, so I was interested about Capital program management and problems connected with library building programs.

The tour to South Jamaica, Flushing and Rego Park Libraries was organizes. It was good possibility to value new building features, compare with old fashion Rego Park library buildings architecture.

Director William J. Dietz represented Human Resource Department. He explained main goals of the department, analyzed employee benefits information, new employee completing and submitting and described the department strategic direction emphasizing staff duties’ responsibilities.

Manager Employment David Roberts, Recruiter Erin O’Grady, Assistant Employee Zarina Mohamed-Bujan introduced conducting interviews, explained preparing for interview process and some rules about information may not be ask about and evaluating applicant’s responses. Office aide interview and Librarian interview questions are different, but contains the same types of questions: open-ended, situational questions, probing questions and leading questions. Other important fields: works description, recognizing the staff, motivation for staff, compensation, labor relations, negotiations with trade union, performance management process were analyzed too. The purpose of performance management process is to plan and communicate the responsibilities and expectation of the position, develop employee and improve performance by addressing strengths and areas of improvement and increase the productivity of the employee. The experience, which I had been gotten, participating in the interview process and studying new material, was important, interesting and useful for Lithuania Libraries management.

Technical Services Department deals competing priorities and consists of Catalog Division and Collection Development Divisions. Jane Jacobs, Assistant Coordinator of Catalog Division, represented the Catalog Division work. The Catalog Division organizes original cataloging, using OCLC, modifies copy-cataloging requiring and continues to do of Adult list, Young Adult list, CEL list. Also organizes local databases maintenance of specific international language material purchased by branches, new American Program international language books, Literature and Languages division international language, videos in international languages in Non Roman Alphabet, request for DRA number, authorities for names.

Coordinator CDD Kathryn E.Boyd represented the Collection Development Division (CDD). She described works fields: preparation adult books order lists, agreement with various vendors and publishers features, preparation of reviews process, display room schedules for Adults, Children and Young Adults order periods. Every two weeks managers of Public Library’s Departments and Branches Managers order the documents according the community needs. That system of document collection is unique in QBPL and lets to collect documents more competently.

Information Technology and Systems Department is responsible to provide links to external data sources for customer use and efficient office automation systems for the professional staff. QBPL has more than 500 personal computers for staff use and more than 5000 additional computers for public use at the Library’s 63 location.

Maria Sunio, Library Application Coordinator, explained us about DRA, customized library automation system, which is used in Library daily operation, holding databases, circulation, fines, fees and other material. Zarasai Public Library five years ago began to create national LIBIS (Lithuania Integration Library Information System) automation software. It was interesting to compare LIBIS with DRA, to avert mistakes in future.

Malabika Das, supervisor of online services, explained QBPL 5 web pages structure, priorities, detailed design feature. She told about future plans (Children LinQ). It was useful to hear practical advices. I am responsible for updating Zarasai Public Library Web page; so, it was very helpful information for future.

Vilay Thillainathan, system engineer introduced the QBPL servers’ systems areas and created Lithuania library computerizing diagram, saving the money. That information is very helpful for Zarasai Public Library and other Lithuania Libraries, seeking to modernize Libraries’ services. Help Desk services provides to technical assistants to QBPL librarians and customers.

Lithuania Public Libraries are on the way of modernization and computerization. It’s helpful to learn some very important point for further processing.

Executive Director of the Library Foundation Stanley E. Gornish perfectly introduced Fund-raising principles and practices. The Queens Library foundation, a separate non-profit organization with own board, raises funds for many of the innovative services and programs. A Board of Directors guides the Foundation. To meet the specialized needs of the customers, the QBPL has developed thousands of special free programs; many of them are possible with funds raised by the Library Foundation. The Director explained department structure’s features and described responsibilities of the department employees: work with corporations, foundations, individuals, government and organization of the events. I had possibility to study some projects and programs, to research various foundations advisability. It was very helpful for further Zarasai Public Library activity in searching new foundations for programs development.

Communication is the key of good public relations with community. I studied Public Relations Department work organization directions inside and outside. The Public Relations Department supports public presentations, conferences, and public events and takes community education activities, operating printed issues, TV and public radio production, as well as various flies, printed programs and brochures for customers. Public Relations are the important core of the library seeking to change Library image and developing new services. Bookmarks, book lists, flies and brochures prepared in this department for various customers groups are available at the central Library and all branches. The Library works with the Queens Library Friends. The Library Friends group creates public support to the Library, sponsors programs designed to enhance the cultural life of the community, works with the Library staff on legislative, encourages volunteer assistance to the Library, provides direct financial assistance by working with Library staff to purchase special items not included in the Library budget.

I participated in the workshop "Queens Borough Public Library Leadership Competency Model: User’s guide", where following competencies: leading the Team, building Library Talent, Commitment to the community, team commitment, thinking strategically, influencing others had been analyzed. I had possibility to study definitions of the competency and listen to the opinion of the Library.

Head of Training &Development Irene Michelitsch organized the training "Respect vs. Harassment". It was new subject analyzed systematically and coherently. Video materials and practice case scenarios were used; printed material was divided to participants. This is new but important activity for Lithuania Public Libraries.

Participating in computer-training lectures: Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Power Point were very helpful in working knowledge development.

I participated in 67^th Council and general IFLA conference in Boston and attended in few programs. The theme of the conference this year was "Libraries and Librarians: making difference in the Knowledge Age".

"Public Libraries: making a difference in the knowledge age". The Section of Public Libraries provided an active international forum for the development and promotion of public libraries, which serve the whole community in the context of the information society and ensure free and equal access to information at the local level.

"Children libraries and early years services". The Section's major purpose was to support the provision of the library service and reading promotion to children and young adults throughout the world.

"International guidelines for user education across continents". The Section focused on education and training for library and information science professionals based on research and professional practice. It serves library and information science educators, practitioners, and managers with training responsibilities. Well educated, adequately trained, continually learning professionals are a requirement for effective and efficient information services. Of special interest to the Section was the state of library and information science education and training in developing countries.

Zarasai District Public Library seeks to extend new services for users, especially for children using various information resources. Every year the library spends the more time for learning of users various kinds of information. It was very useful to listen in to the new information about other country experience and compare it with our library experience.

The public library can be an important force for the individual in achieving well transmission from childhood to adulthood by providing access to the various recourses, supporting of necessary equipment to cater users’ needs.

A lot of America’s public libraries participate in early literacy programs, "Book time with your Baby Program", "Mother Goose asks "Why?" "Growing with mother Goose", "Mother Goose cares about literacy and living together", "Mother Goose mats mother nature", "Mothered", "Reach out and read", "Born to read". Some of Europe public libraries offer toy-lending services (Zagreb Public Library, Croatia), some libraries have partnership relations and connection between health institutions and librarians (France), some libraries have experience of cooperative programming for children between libraries and museums (Enoch Pratt Free Public Library, Baltimore, USA).

The library needs to provide staff training to respond to the specific need of children and young adults – ideas from program "Libraries for children and young adults". Users’ learning is other important question for the library. Libraries have some experience in that way and know difficulties and new approaches in user education. There is some users’ learning module characteristics: small-teaching units, teaching modules integrated by curriculum complementary online tutorials and dynamic models of information. This is the way for Lithuania Public libraries too.

The Conference was organized in The Hynes Convention Center, very modern and well equipped building. Every participant got conference bags with program, exhibition catalogue, and list of participant, notebook and pen, information on Boston. There was good possibility to use Internet for checking e-mail, to read newest IFLA conference material by Intranet, or daily newspaper "Express information". The programs, in which I participated, were useful and interesting. The conference was organized excellently.

There were about 190 various exhibitors in the IFLA 67 conference in Boston. I took the opportunity to participate in the Exhibition Hall, to talk with various exhibitors and obtain new ideas, addresses and information in various, connected with library, fields. I have got some experience about preparation of presentation speeches with additional pictorial material, organization of volunteers work, preparation detailed material explanation in the small elbow-place (booth).

• To organize adult learning courses: computer skills, introduction to the Internet, computer databases
• To organize public English and German learning courses: computer-assisted instruction for all users as well as for improving reading and writing English and German skills for adult learners, training workshops for adults learners

• To develop outreach program: to cooperate with Zarasai Job Exchange center
• To develop collections, reflecting our community needs.

• Early literacy services: storytelling for 24 – 36 month children, educational programs for children and parents
• After school program: recreational services and informational services
• Summer Reading program with special themes, games and programs for children 6 to 12 ages to read for pleasure as well as information.
• Partnership with school libraries organizing information lessons for children 7 to 12 years
• Technology access and computer skills
• Accumulation and provision with new literature for children and parents
• Children Web page

• Programs to interests to teens
• Teens’ advisory team, volunteers’ team
• Technology access
• Development of collections

• To train librarians new Queens Library experience
• Information access to Zarasai Public Library Web page
• To train librarians computer skills
• To write the articles to professional journal "Tarp knygu" (Between books")
• To participate in the workshops and seminars for the librarians from other Districts.

There were created very good conditions for International Trainee to enhance the professional skills, to develop knowledge level in various areas in Queens Borough Public Library. I could use professional books, magazines and newspapers for additional studies, fiction and non-fiction literature, CDs, videos – for self-education and recreation needs, Internet and library Intranet – for e-mail and information search.

• It was very good point to begin training program with common fields – survey and orientation to Queen’s Borough Public Library and branches. Now it’s easy to analyze library’s structure and works action.
• The program was proper and accommodated my interests. I had very good conditions to develop my knowledge in various fields: the Library management, Programs development, and Community organization.

• I could enhance my knowledge in Collection Development fields. The purpose of Zarasai Public Library is to provide local community with documents. That is necessary to the future of the library and, I think, guarantees it success. My new experience will be useful in daily work in Zarasai Public Library.

• There were good conditions for computer skills training. Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft, Microsoft Access are important programs for librarian job. But at first it is necessary to organize professional initial learning. And it was done.
• It was useful to participate in practical workshops and programs and see the practical results, to participate in staff meetings and various discussions, to hear concrete proposals and decisions. It was new experience, which will be useful for my further work, organizing the meetings with library staff.

• It was very helpful to get printed materials about QBPL for further studying, analyzing and translating to Lithuania language.
• An important aspect of knowledge development was possibility to participate in daily QBPL work between customers in Queens Library Gallery.
• QBPL invited me to participate in various library programs and events for children and adults. The Family day was new kind event organized perfectly for librarians families members. Talent showcase, program with "Mother Beer" gave me the big pleasure. The participation in the action "The friends of Queens Library support National Night Out Against Crime" in Forest Hills Park let me take opinion about importance of public relations and got possibility to communicate with various people.
• Another important factor in enhancing of level of knowledge had been participating in IFLA 67 Conference in Boston on theme "Public Libraries: making a difference in the knowledge age".

Zarasai District Municipality Public Library

Deputy Director Jolanta Lementauskiene