Historical context

Some researchers believe that the history of Jewish libraries in Lithuania began in 16th century when first synagogues where built in the area probably with small libraries dedicated to religious people. However document-based evidence of such libraries leads us to later period of 18th century.

Matas Strasunas

In the year of 1748 a fire occurred in Vilnius and a list of burned buildings was made by Bonifacego Jachimowicz which shows that there was a special house in which books in Hebrew language were stored. It is unclear whether these books were accessible for the public but it is known that there were much more houses like these. Ideas of Enlightenment were spreading all over Europe at that time and because of that there were plenty of personal libraries which belonged to cultural elite of the city. But personal libraries could be accessed only by a small circle of people.

Historical origin of Jewish public library in Vilnius goes back to the end of the 19th century when by the will of a Jewish bibliophile Matas Strasunas (1817-1885) his large personal book collection was to make up the background for establishing the first public library of Jewish community. When library opened in 1892 it contained 7 thousand publications in Hebrew and other languages. Library’s collection was constantly growing by courtesy of other Jewish scientists and book lovers who were giving away their books and personal collections.

In 1901 library was named after Matas Strasunas and moved to new two-storey building near the Great Synagogue of Vilna. Because of the large book collection and spirit of tolerance library quickly became well-known cultural attraction place among the Jewish and other communities in Vilnius. Library operated successfully until the Second World War which devastated library’s building. During the wartime most of the books were taken away and shipped abroad. Later some of them came back to Lithuania while the other part went to New York.

Wyman Brent

In 2010 with the initiative of private book collector Mr. Wyman Brent and other enthusiasts, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania together with Ministry of Culture and Members of Parliament began to consider a possibility to renew Jewish public library tradition in Vilnius. More than 5 thousand books about Jewish culture, art, history and religion were donated by Mr. W. Brent and made up the basis of the new library.

You can find more information about the founder of the library on this page.

After examining all conditions, various opinions and suggestions, after assessment of possibilities to provide continuity to this project as well as quality of service and open access for the public, decision was made to establish the Vilnius Jewish Public Library as a structural unit of Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library. Vilnius Jewish Library project was included to the 2011’s special commemoration of victims of the Holocaust memorial plan. The Library was granted premises located on Gedimino pr. 24.

On the 5th of October, 2011 Mr. W. Brent signed endowment act regarding donation of his books collection to Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library. On December 16th of the same year Library had its grand opening ceremony.

On January 2022 Vilnius Jewish Public Library became a separate division of the Lithuanian National Martynas Mažvydas Library.

Our mission

The mission of the Vilnius Jewish Public Library is to promote Jewish literature and stimulate intercultural cooperation between Vilnius communities as well as to contribute to the preservation of the country’s historical memory and continuity of the Jewish culture in Lithuania. The work of the Library is based on the democratic values guaranteeing that all members of society must have equal access to all sorts of information.

Our goals

The main goal of Library is to ensure open and convenient access to creative work of Jewish authors and literature about actual and historical Jewish culture. While pursuing its main functions library also aspires to reveal a significance of cultural heritage of Lithuanian Jewish people and its contribution to Lithuania’s cultural, academic and social progress.

In implementing these objectives, the Library not only continues the first Jewish public library tradition, but also promotes cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue between the city communities using library spaces for art exhibitions, presentations of books, conferences, discussions, lectures and other educational and cultural events.

Active co-operation with members of the general public, civil and cultural activists as well as government agencies and non-governmental organizations is based on transparency and cooperation principles. Our library is always open to various proposals regarding collective cultural activity.

Organizational structure

Vilnius Jewish Public Library operates as unit of Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library and is directly subordinated to the head of this institution.