Trabajar como voluntario en una biblioteca de Kaunas (Lituania)

Library was established in 1939. Currently one central, one city and seventeen village structural units are in service. The library has more than 151,6 thousand physical documents in its archives.
28 % of the local population and 139,6 thousand yearly visitors use the library services. The library employs 15 specialists who provide not only informational services.
In 2012 the library moved to a new office, the reconstructed tower clock building, which is part of the cultural heritage. The building is situated in the old historical park.
The personnel of the library are composed of qualified specialists (some with English and German language skills). The librarians constantly organize various projects; actively join the cultural and social life of the city.
One of the priorities of the library is adult non formal education. More than 300 adults have already joined the programmes (computer and internet literacy seminars, non-formal club for the seniors, club of bibliophiles, literature club, one section of the cultural association “Saulute”.
Plungė Public Library has implemented a variety of different local and international projects:
• Project “Study days in Plunge” for adult education.
• Intensive English language courses for adults.
• In 2007 contacted Swedish librarians, people of culture and art, to establish a network of cooperation (participation in seminars about the Swedish book culture, politics, traditions of adult non-formal education and the role of libraries in the active social life).
• A two-part project “World culture studies: “Learn in order to understand and accept”.
• International project “Life in a village is like Kunstkamera”. The project included the creation of the arts book using various materials found in villages.
• Common project with the Latvian city Saldus which included the presentation of Lithuanian and Latvian texts, analysis, discussion, also common photo exhibition, publishing of a common book, various seminars in Lithuania and Latvia on national identity.
• International project “Book as a bridge between different worlds and cultures” together with Latvian partners (seminars about organizing international literature forums)
• Plunge Palazzo Vecchio: from the counts’ Zubovai Palace to Plunge Public Library (1846-2012) – the first representative Journal of Pilaitė-clock, where Plunge Public Library is currently located.
• Project “Creative Integration: book binding, postcards and creative text primers”.
The library traditionally organizes literary projects designed to acquaint the community with the contemporary literary writers and their works (literature readings, cognitive seminars, seminars on contemporary Lithuanian literature, meeting famous writers, poets, musicians, actors)
Experience with EU “Youth in Action” projects: Common international project with organization “Cyrulis” and association “Saulutė“ in 2009 (cognition of cultural heritage and environment – volunteers from EU and Mediterranean regional were building a straw house, collecting medicinal herbs, had a bicycle tour).
In 2009 the young librarian D. Jankauskienė was send to participate in a training course in Turkey about active youth participation. She then shared the experience with the rest of the library’s staff.

• The volunteer can help the library to attract more youth;
• Volunteer would bring new ideas and initiatives to the library;
• The library supports the same values as those of EU “Youth in Action”: opportunities of non-formal education, cooperation of youth from different countries, youth participation in various activities;
• European voluntary service which started in the city of Plunge in 2010 is a new perspective not only for Plunge public library, but for the whole town community. It opens new opportunities for intercultural communication;
• A volunteer in the library would spread the volunteering message for the community, especially youth, and all those who would like to join it.
• The volunteer would help maintain and develop the international partnerships at the library, would promote the organization on the international level;
• The cooperation would be very useful for both the sides. EVS would enable the dialogue among people with different backgrounds (national, cultural, experiential, traditional, and lingual).
• Volunteer would be a valuable asset in communicating with foreign visitors to the library. It would also help the staff develop their foreign language skills.

Project environment:
Plungė is located in the North West Lithuania. It is a town with more than 23 000 inhabitants in the territory of 11,78 square kilometers. Plungė is one of the main cities in Žemaitija (Samogitia region of Lithuania). Rich history, great geographical location and sophisticated local society create a wonderful entire of the town.
History of Plungė
In historiography there is a strong statement that first people settled in the territory of Plungė in 5-1st centuries BC. In 1567 Plungė was stated as a town for the first time. In 1570 Plungė started growing and got Magdeburg city rights in 1792. In the 19th century Plungė was governed by Zubovai and Oginskiai. During ruling of these families first mason buildings were built in Plungė. Architecture of these structures would beautify every old town nowadays. A neat clock-style castle (where is the library is established now) was an imitation of 14th century Vecchio palace in Florence. The castle was built by Zubovai in Plungė park. Oginskiai erected an ensemble of estate of neo-renaissance and neo-gothic styles. In 1875 one of the first Lithuanian music schools was opened in the estate. One of the most famous and talented Lithuanian musicians and painters M. K. Čiurlionis studied music here. The end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century was a significant period of cultural and economical prosperity of Plungė town. In the years of Lithuanian independency monks capuchins influenced the educational and cultural life, the industry was strongly influenced by local flax fabric, Jews businesses and local agriculture. For a long time of Plungė town history, Jews community was very influential there. During the years of Lithuanian independency, district of Telšiai was the third in Lithuania according as a number of Jews living there. In 1923, 44% inhabitants of Plungė were Jews. The community was destroyed in 1941 July by Nazi German forces. During the period of Soviet occupation, the face of Plungė city has changed a lot. Number of inhabitants enlarged (from 7400 in 1940 to 23300 in 1990). Plungė town was urbanized, various industrial companies were there established in order to implement Soviet plans to enlarge Plungė twice. However, it appeared that in Plungė there are not enough water resources to develop the industry further. Finally, plans were stopped and changed when Lithuania got back its independence in 1990. Then most of factories were closed, the only one “Linų audiniai“ (Flax drapery) was left to work.
Plungė today.
Plungė is situated 56 km from Klaipėda and the Baltic seaside, 70 km from the Curonian Spit national park. The area of Plungė is home for more than 41 thousand inhabitants (more than 23 thousand live in the city itself). More than 3000 are recipeints of social benefits (average national ratio). 7 social care institutions are establisehd to take care of the disadvantaged. The unemployment rate in the region was (2012 January 1st data) 12,2% (national 13%). The unemployment rate has decreased since then, including youth unemployment. In Plungė small and medium business is fairly well-developed. Residents work in construction, metalworking, linen products, furniture manufacturing plants. Plunge has 1 gymnasium, 1 art school, 4 elementary schools, 1 School of Business and Technology, 1 child care home. Young people are fluent in English language, the older population can speak the Russian language. The city has a large park and Duke M. Oginski Palace of the 19th century. In the palace the professional art museum is now established. Every year in September international classical music festival takes place here. Plunge has a lot of food shops, a pizzeria, a few cafes, where lunch costs 7-8 euros. In summer, many tourists from Lithuania and foreign countries come visit the Samogitia National Park, with its many lakes and natural woodland. Plungė district includes many sightseeing places overall. 9 reserves, 4 parks, 13 mounds, 40 architectural monuments. The fact is that Plungė and its district distinguishe in number of exclusive objects. The town itself includes a train station, stadium, the estate of Oginskiai where now the Museum of Samogitian art is established, the park where there one of nature monuments grows (Oak of Thunder). Plungė also has the Old town square and a marvelous church of St. John the Baptist. The town includes many sculptures, public offices, a stud farm and lots more. In 2009 Plungė was declared as the capital of culture of Lithuania.

Leisure time
Concerts, art exhibitions in Plunge Culture Centre, concerts of classical music in Plunge M. Oginskis Art School, the events of International Festival of M. Oginskis in August and September in Plunge. There is Spare-time and Recreational Centre „Porto“ with bowling in Plunge. There are fee-paying 2 sports and wellness centres in Plunge. It would be possibility for volunteer to try sport of canoe and football or basketball free of charge. Also there is very famous chess club in Plunge.
In free days we can organize the trips around the most interesting places of Samogitia and Klaipeda: Curonian Spit, Klaipeda city, Palanga town, Mosėdis town, Telšiai town and etc.; to visit important culture and nature objects, to get to know about Lithuanian culinary heritage, to rest beside the Baltic sea. There is very interesting Samogitian National Park not so much far from Plunge (17 km).

Proposed activities for EVS volunteers:

Distribution of Actions of volunteer in per cents:
20 per cents of time for communication with library visitors and guests (adults).
15 per cents of time for communication with children library visitors.
15 per cents of time for communication with librarians.
11 per cents of time for fixing English language comprehension, when volunteer and librarians are discussing in various topics in English language.
8 per cents of time for participations in events, when he (she) presents the country where is he (she) from.
5 per cents of time for volunteer studying Lithuanian language.
6 per cents of time for preparation for library events.
5 per cents of time for introduction with the library fund: books, video, audio and electronic publications.
5 per cents of time for arrangement of new books and other documents.
4 per cents of time for visiting town and villages libraries, meetings with local community, presentation of the voluntary activity.
3 per cents of time for communication with the members of Non-governmental organizations.
3 per cents of time for fixation (photograph, film) of culture heritage (if the volunteer would have predilection and interest for photography and film).

Example work week of the volunteer:

Monday
8:30- 9:00 Breakfast
9:00- 9:30 discussion of the day‘s work together with the supervisor
9:30- 11:00 Work in the adults’ service section. The volunteer gets to know with English books and other English documents in the Plunge Public library fund.
11:00- 12:00 Lithuanian language lesson for the volunteer
12:00- 13:00 Lunch break
13:00- 14:00 Work in the adults’ service section.
He /she recommends these books to library readers who can speak English. He /she communicates with English speaking library readers.
14:00- 16:00 work with children in Children service section.
Preparation for Summer Children Book Festival: discussion about ideas, preparation, advertisement.
17:00- 18:00 Discussion with the staff of the library about changes in the activities of the library. Tuesday
8:30- 9:00 Breakfast
9:00- 9:30 discussion about the day‘s work together with the supervisor
9:30- 11:00 Work in the adults’ service section. Communication with library visitors.
11:00- 12:00 Improving foreign language skills, discussion on selected topics.
Discussion about the efficiency and modernity of the library with the library personnel. It is the way to improve librarians English language skills for to present library for various guests
12:00- 13:00 Lunch break.
13:00- 15:00 work with children in Children service section
The volunteer works like the assistant of the organizer of Summer Children Book Festival.
15:00- 17:00 work in the adults‘ service section
The volunteer recommends these books to library readers who can speak English. He /she communicates with English speaking library readers.
Wednesday
8:30- 9:00 Breakfast
9:00- 9:30 discussion about the day‘s work together with the supervisor
9:30- 11:00 Preparation of the brochure in English about the activities of the library
11:00- 12:00 Improving foreign language skills, discussion on selected topics
Discussion “What I can tell interesting about our town for guests?” Discussion proceeds with library workers and members of Senior’s Club.
Other discussion “The most interesting facts from the history of Plunge town”. Participate librarians and museum workers.
12:00- 13:00 Lunch break
13:00- 15:00 work with children in Children service section
The volunteer works like the assistant of the organizer of Summer Children Book Festival. Meeting with teachers.
15:00- 17:00 Dissemination of EU related information, discussions with adult visitors
There is the Center of Information and Education in the Plunge Public library. The spread of information about EU (Europe Union) is the part of activities of this center. This center is collecting literature about various EU countries, organizing seminars and etc. At the time of one seminar the volunteer represents the country which from he came. In this seminar participate the librarians, teachers and the members of the Senior’s Club.
Thursday:
8:30- 9:00 Breakfast
9:00- 9:30 discussion about the day‘s work together with the supervisor
9:30- 11:00 Preparation for an event (scenario, invitations, etc)
11:00- 12:00 Improving foreign language skills, discussion on selected topics
12:00- 13:00 Lunch break
13:00- 15:00 work with new books in the book assembly section.
The volunteer gets to know with the order of complement of new books: subscribe, delivery, recording to electronic catalogue, allocation to Public library and to other branch libraries. The volunteer helps to unpack batches of new books and stamp them.
15:00- 17:00 work in the adults‘ service section
The volunteer communicates with English speaking library readers.
17:00- 18:00 Common activates with the representatives of local NGOs.
One meeting organize with Youth organizations. Introduction of voluntary work, his (her) own experiences of voluntary work, trying yang people of Plunge district to interest an ideas of voluntary activity.
Friday:
8:30- 9:00 Breakfast
9:00- 9:30 discussion about the day‘s work together with the supervisor
9:30- 11:00 Assisting in Project preparation, visiting village libraries, meeting villagers, discussion on volunteering.
The volunteer and librarians visits 4 branches of Plunge Public library: Plunge Town library; smaller towns: Plateliai, Kuliai and Žemaičių Kalvarija libraries and also other interesting culture places in these mentioned small towns. In these libraries the volunteer meets with members of native community and tells about voluntary work and share his /her experience (why and how he (she) became volunteer). The purpose of these meetings is to make interest an idea of voluntary work and to encourage people to become volunteers in their towns or villages.
11:00- 12:00 Improving foreign language skills, discussion on selected topics
12:00- 13:00 Lunch break
13:00- 14:00 Lithuanian language lesson for the volunteer
14:00-16:00 work with children in Children service section
The volunteer works like the assistant of the organizer of Summer Children Book Festival. Meeting with pupils of six and seven classes.
16:00- 17:00 work in the adults‘ service section
The volunteer communicates with English speaking library readers.
18:00-20:00 Getting to know Plunge and its surroundings

Volunteer profiles and recruitment process:
Plunge public library is ready to host active and motivated volunteers. The library is visited by many different people, including foreign tourists, therefore candidates are expected to be communicative, able to adapt to different situations, have skills of spoken and written English.
Furthermore, candidates must be do their “homework” and gather plenty of (online) information about Plunge and life style in this town. Candidates must have a clear understanding that the EVS environment might differ greatly from what they are used to and they should be ready to take things in flexible manner.
All applications will be evaluated based on how well they suit the general profile of the EVS volunteer and specific requirements of the library.
The public library of Plunge is open to work with every organization having the status to send EVS.

Number of volunteers hosted: 1

Risk prevention, protection and safety:
The volunteer will not be handling on any dangerous tasks or equipment. He/she will have a supervisor to help in difficult situations. Furthermore, the volunteer will be instructed about the general personal safety precautions immediately after arriving in the country and later during the on-arrival training. During this training possible crisis situations and ways to solve them will be analyzed interactively.
The volunteer will be assigned a mentor, who will help him/her to smoothly integrate into the local community minimizing the effects of cultural shock, if any. The staff of the organization will see and communicate with the volunteer practically every day, so they will be able to closely follow his/her personal and professional development.

How to apply

Building Bridges Association members will have preference, please enroll to the association here.

For the selection of the volunteers we will need:
– Europass CV with picture (made in the last month) and skype name

– Motivational letter, writing that your sending organisation will be “Building Bridges”. We ask all candidates to send a specific letter of motivation – why they want to volunteer with us rather than just a general EVS one.

Remember to write in the motivation letter that your sending institution is “Asociación Building Bridges”.

All documents written in english you can attach below with subject “EVS Lithuania Deineta Plunge. YOUR NAME. YOUR SURNAME» to asociacionbbARROBAgmail.com