What writers and books were most popular in libraries last year?

The latest work of the author I. Buivydaitė, who is called the queen of melodramas, “What if” was published last year, but this did not prevent this book from entering the top of the list of the most popular Lithuanian fiction works in libraries. In this list, you can find three more books written by this writer and translator living in Alytus: “The Moon and You” (2), “Rose Mansion” (3) and “True and False Sisters” (7).

The second most popular Lithuanian writer in libraries is Jolita Herlyn, a writer living in Germany, whose book “Child of Shame” is the fourth most read book. The author of historical novels Gina Viliūnė took the third place in the list of the most popular authors in libraries, although none of her books made it to the top ten this time.

For several years in a row, writer Tomas Dirgėla has been leading the category of authors of Lithuanian children’s and youth literature. As many as 6 of his books can be found in the list of books in this category, and it climbed to the third place in 2022. “The Case of Missing Cats” was published. The joint work of Evelina Daciūtė and Aušra Kiudulaitė “Lappiness is a fox” was on the first place of the list of the most popular books for children and young people, and Kristina Gudonytė’s book “Ida from the Shadow Garden” was on the second place.

The number of readers is increasing

Readers who like to borrow books from libraries were also interested in scientific and subject literature books. Among the authors of this category are as many as 5 historians. It is true that journalist Dovydas Pancerov surpassed them in this list, just like last year. Birutė Davidonytė, also a representative of investigative journalism, is in second place. The books written together by these two journalists occupy the highest positions in the list of scientific and business literature books: “The Speaker and the President” – the first place, “Cabinet 339” – the second place. In third place is historian Giedrius Petkevičius, whose book “People of War” took third place.

Delia Owens’s book “Ten, kur gieda kųriai” (Ten, kur gieda kųriai) has been on the first place in the list of foreign literature books for several years in a row (translated by Anita Kapočiūtė, Vidas Morkūnas). Kristin Hannah’s “True colors” (translated by Paulė Budraitė) took second place, Clark Imogen’s “Life Puzzle” (translated by Justė Povilaitienė) took third place.

Most Popular in Libraries 2022 among book artists – Asta Pukienė, among book illustrators – Alfreda Steponavičienė, and among translators – Viktorija Uzėlaitė-Kirilova.

A few more numbers: in 2023, books registered in the Association LATGA were issued to readers a total of 3,949,259 times (in 2022 – 3,457,053 times), that is, 492,206 times more than in 2022. “We can probably conclude that the popularity of libraries did not decrease following the pandemic, but only increased,” says Jurga Bražiūnienė, chief specialist of the Book Use and Reprographic Reproduction subsection of the LATGA Association.

Authors receive remuneration

Association LATGA compiles lists of the most popular books and authors in libraries based on the data of the largest Lithuanian library system “iBiblioteka”.

These data are required for the distribution and payment of the annual compensatory salary awarded by the Ministry of Culture to authors of literature (writers, translators, book artists, illustrators) for the use of books in libraries. Based on the data of book editions in libraries, the association LATGA also distributes compensatory remuneration for reprography (the association itself collects it) and compensatory remuneration for the use of works for personal purposes (it is collected by AGATA and distributed to book authors by LATGA).

The Ministry of Culture allocated 542,400 euros to authors for the use of books in libraries in 2023 (for comparison, 534,280 euros were allocated for 2022). Compensation was distributed to 2,212 creators: 1,350 text authors, 627 translators, 177 illustrators and 58 book painters. In 2022, 117 new authors and 1,380 new works were registered.

Based on its distribution rules and data on the aforementioned compensation for the use of books, this year the association has already paid compensation for the reproduction of written works for personal purposes (it is also called the Blank Media Fee). For 2023 EUR 87,892 of this compensatory salary was distributed to book authors.

All authors who receive remuneration for the use of books and other publications in libraries and reproduction of works for personal purposes also participate in the distribution of compensatory remuneration for the reproduction of works by reprography. The LATGA Association collects this fee from companies that sell copying and printing equipment, as well as from companies that provide printing and copying services.

Data on the provision of reprographic services in 2023. submitted by 144 companies and organizations. “Collection of compensatory salary for sold reprographic devices and reprographic services increased once more: for 2022 we paid out EUR 107,732 to the authors, and for 2023 – EUR 118,513”, says the head of the Sub-Department of Book Use and Reprographic Reproduction of LATGA. specialist J. Bražiūnienė.

TOP TEN OF THE MOST POPULAR AUTHORS AND BOOKS IN LIBRARIES IN 2023

LITHUANIAN FICTION AUTHORS