Spaudą atgavus: knyga ir skaitytojas 1904-1918 m. Lietuvoje
LTLietuvių tautos, jos kultūros istorijoje XX a. pirmieji dešimtmečiai (1904-1918) - daug kuo ypatingas laikotarpis. Jis įsitarpavo į XIX a. antrosios pusės-XX a. pradžios tautinio atgimimo ir Lietuvos valstybės paskelbimo 1918 m. Naujomis to tarpsnio sąlygomis tęsta lietuvių tautinio išsivadavimo sąjūdis ir jo tradicijos. Įvairios Lietuvos gyvenimo sritys palyginti sparčiai plėtojosi. Per 1904-1918 m. kultūros baruose sukaupta naujo ir reikšmingo patyrimo, perimto Lietuvos valstybėje (1918-1940 m.). Čia pristatomoje knygoje nagrinėjamos ir apžvelgiamos tos 1904-1918 m. lietuvių kultūros sritys, kurios susijusios su lietuviška spauda ir skaityba bei jų įstaigomis (bibliotekomis, knygynais ir kt.), su lietuvių knygos ir periodikos funkcionavimu visuomenėje [Iš Pratarmės].
EN1904-1918 is a very special period in the history of Lithuanian culture. In the middle of 1904 Lithuania regained Lithuanian press in Latin script which for almost 4 decades (1864-1904) was banned by the Russian Empire authorities. In 1904 new - legal and more favourable conditions stimulated public cultural life and activities. At that time various fields of Lithuanian culture had ,,accelerated“development aiming to compensate deprivations of national culture because of the ban of Lithuanian press and school as well as other constraints of cultural rights. Lithuanian science was dealing first of all with Lithuanian literature, partly with art and music of that period. There is a lack of information related to book and reading, their institutions, books and periodicals public functioning, reading sociology. The monograph aims to fill this gap in the Lithuanian historiography. Analysis of book and lectology fields (libraries, collections, readers, bookstores, other ways of distribution) is based on the variety of newly acquired facts, data and information related to these fields. The monograph refers to printed materials (mostly taken from the periodicals of the analysed period) as well as archives sources and manuscripts. Social, cultural and political environment of the period forms the background of the investigated fields and problems. One can distinquish several periods with different conditions and of different nature. The mentioned fields used to have „pulsating" development - rises, determined by the revolution in Russia in 1905-1907, ebbs (1907-1909), caused mainly by repressive politics of the liar's administration, normal development until the First World War (1914). In 1915-1918 Lithuanian culture splits into two parts. One of them exists in Lithuania occupied by the German troops, the other - concentrates in Russia. The latter is separate, being already analysed and described is left behind this monograph.The book consists of seven main chapters with sections. The first two chapters („Lithuanian library system and its development“and „Collections and acquisition') survey Lithuanian legal libraries, their collections, acquisition, development of the library system and its structure. They present views and attitudes of Lithuanian authors (V. Biržiška, P. Bugailiškis, K. Šleivys and others) towards the model of legal library, its aims and objectives. The specific aim of the Lithuanian library was first of all to accustom Lithuanians to books, newspapers, reading and library. Because the Lithuanian press and school was banned between 1864 and 1904, the majority of Lithuanian inhabitants, especially older ones, had no opportunity to acquire reading habits or couldn't read except for a prayer- book. […] The third chapter „Reading theory and practice“analyses the development of lectology in Lithuania. Many theoretical and practical ideas in this field were adopted from the West European, American and Russian authors. Lithuanians interpreted and modified them fitting to local conditions and needs. Lithuanian authors attached great attention to reading, its meaning and role, discussed various problems related to reading sources, their structure and contents. The fourth chapter „Readers. Reading quantity and quality" specifies literature read by various groups of readers. Special sections deal with women, children and young people literature and their reading habits. These chapters are based on the sociological investigations of the mentioned period. The fifth chapter „Founders and librarians" describes the development of library profession, characterises main personal and professional features of library staff. Different people used to work in libraries: catholic priests, members of church staff - organists, sacristans, etc., local secular intelligent, other enlightened people - farmers, artisans. [...].Chapter 6 „Lithuanian bookstores. Non-stationary book trade“describes foundation of Lithuanian book stores, their activities and assortment (literature types, themes, genres, quantity, etc.). During that period more than 90 bookstores or stores selling books together with other articles operated in the biggest Lithuanian cities (Vilnius, Kaunas, Šiauliai, Panevėžys), district centres, villages, small towns. Very often those bookstores pursued commercial as well as educational and cultural aims. They published books, organised library collections, united local Lithuanian intelligentsia. Lithuanian bookstores had financial difficulties, very often they couldn't compete with international bookstores also dealing with Lithuanian books. Petty merchants used to sell Lithuanian press near churches, at markets, during church festivals and on similar occasions. The seventh chapter „Reading and distribution of periodicals" first of all aims to show dissemination of Lithuanian periodical press (considering other languages as well). It presents specific data about subscribed editions from various places in Lithuania (mainly small towns and villages.). The main data of the monograph are presented in the tables.
