National Bibliography in Lithuania
Among the Baltic countries, Lithuania is the exception in its bibliographic history. Unlike Estonia and Latvia, its bibliographic history extends to the 16th century. That being said, Lithuania did not have a true national bibliography until the twentieth century. It did have numerous compiled bibliographic resources, published in Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Germany. Bibliographic history again mirrors the general political history of the nation in Lithuania. With Lithuania's division in the 18th century between Russia, Austria nd Prussia, the independent nation of Lithuania would not reappear until the twentieth century. Lithuania's intellectual history is subsumed in that of the foreign powers dominating the country during this period. Thus, Lithuanian publications were included in Estreicher's Bibliografia Polska. Lithuanian publications were also included in the Russian national bibliographic sources of the 19th century.
Online Resources | Retrospective National Bibliography | Contemporary National Bibliography
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Latvian National Library Catalogs
Online Resources | Retrospective National Bibliography | Contemporary National Bibliography
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Retrospective National Bibliography
Knygos
Lietuviu Kalba. T. 1 (1547-1861). Vilnius: "Mintis". 1969
UIUC Call Number: Baltic Reference 015.475 L625
Knygos Lietuviu Kalba: I, 1547-1861, papildymai. Vilnius: "Mintis".
1990
Not held at UIUC
Knygos Lietuviu Kalba.
T.II (1862-1904). Vilnius: "Mintis". 1985
UIUC Call Number: Baltic Reference 015.475 L625
Knygos Lietuviu Kalba, 1905-1917: kontrolinis sarasas. Vilnius:
"Mintis". 1977
Not held at UIUC
Knygos Lietuviu Kalba, 1918-1940: kontrolinis sarasas. Vilnius.
1997-1998.
Not held at UIUC
This title is one in the series of bibliographies published during the Soviet period reconstructing the Lithuanian publishing history. The series title is Lietuvos TSR spauda. The entire bibliography has been scanned and is freely available on the Lithuanian National Library website. The series has three parts. Series A lists Lithuanian books publihed before 1940. The titles included in this series are Knygos Lietuviu Kalva (1547-1861), Knygos Lietuviu Kalba (1862-1904), Knygos Lietuviu Kalba, 1905-1917: knotrolinis sarasas (1977), Knygos Lietuviu Kalba, 1918-1940: knotrolinis sarasas (1997-1998). Series C is devoted to perioedical publications. The project is intended to produce a comprehensive bibliography of all Lithuanian publications.
As can be seen from the sample entry at the left, the entries are rich in detail. Illustrative material from the covers is liberally supplied in the bibliography, as is critical literature on each title. Entries are arranged alphabetically by author. Entries for authors begin with a biographical profile of the writer. At the end of the list of works by and about the author is an extensive list of publications
These volumes were extensively indexed. There are indexes of works which included Lithuanian texts, manuscripts, a chronological index, name index, index of titles, corporate author index, geographic index, typographical index, an index of illustrations and and index of biographical entries.
The online version, linked from the titles listed above is a scan of the printed editions. It is a wonderful resource with some limitations. The scanned edition is indexed only by page number. For the user familiar with the organization this does not present too many challenges. If you are aware that the volumes are organized by author, you simply have to check a few links to orient yourself to the text. It can be somewhat tedious but is not a terrible trial. The indexes have unfortunately been scanned in a separate file and cannot readily be used with the text.
The image shown at the left is taken from the online version of the catalog.
Knygos:
Bibliografijos ir kritikos zurnalas. Kaunas, 1922-1939
Not held at UIUC
This journal contained what is considered to be the first attempt at national bibliography for independent Lithuania. The journal was edited and founded by Vaclovas Birziska. It contained a section on bibliography in every issue and began the first attempt at a systematic registry of Lithuania's publications.
Bibliografijos
zinios: Lietuvos bibliografijos instituto organas. Kaunas, 1928-43.
Not held at UIUC.
This was the official national bibliography of independent Lithuania. The journal was edited by Vaclovas Birziska. It was issued bimonthly and listed both books and articles.
Knygu metrastis: Lietuvos TSR valstybines
bibliografijos organas. Vilnius. 1946-1956.
Not held at UIUC
This quarterly publication was the Soviet era national bibliography and was issued by the Book Chamber of the Lithuanian SSR. It included all materials published in Lithuania and those titles published in other areas of the Soviet Union that were devoted to Lithuania.
Lietuvos TSR spauda: valstybine suvestine
bibliografija.1940-1955. Vilnius:"Mintis". 1964.
Lietuvos TSR spauda: valstybine suvestine bibliografija. 1956-1965.
Vilnius: "Mintis".
UIUC call number: Baltic Reference 015.475 L6252,
Spaudos metrastis. Vilnius:
"Mintis". 1947-
UIUC Call Number: Baltic Reference 015.475 SP28. IU holds 1962, 1963,
1965-57, 1969, 1978, 1979-1987.
Online Resources | Retrospective National Bibliography | Contemporary National Bibliography
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Contemporary National Bibliography
Online Resources | Retrospective National Bibliography | Contemporary National Bibliography
Return to Table of Contents | Return to Expanded Table of Contents