How to recognize propaganda and disinformation? Does artificial intelligence always tell the truth? You can find answers to these questions by attending training sessions in Lithuanian public libraries and by participating in the fourth Medijų ir informacinio raštingumo (MIRKT) savaitė on October 24–31.
“An informed, happy, and smart society” – this is the slogan of Lithuanian libraries, inviting everyone to take part in various free activities during the last week of October as part of Medijų ir informacinio raštingumo savaitė. The activities are truly diverse: from serious discussions to orienteering hikes and a virtual escape room. The goal of all events is the same – to once again remind citizens that the ability to critically evaluate information, understand the influence of media, and use it responsibly is essential for everyone – at work, in daily life, and when participating in social and cultural processes. The 2025 Medijų ir informacinio raštingumo program coordinator, Head of the Regional Library Methodology and Management Department of Vilniaus apskrities Adomo Mickevičiaus viešoji biblioteka, Žydrūnė Tichanavičienė, says that this initiative annually brings together the communities of all Lithuanian libraries for a common goal – strengthening the ability to responsibly use information and media, and developing critical thinking. “The ability to distinguish truth from manipulation today is not a luxury, but a necessity. Libraries are becoming places where people can safely learn, ask questions, and discover reliable sources of information. This year’s MIRKT program includes training, lectures, and discussions on relevant topics such as financial literacy, artificial intelligence, copyright, critical thinking, and historical literacy, as well as the orienteering hike ‘Taigi viską žinau…’, interactive games, and the final MIRKT quiz with Paulius Ambrazevičius. In planning this year’s program, we aimed to offer activities that are becoming traditions for strengthening media literacy competencies, while also ensuring that the program appeals both to students and adults.”
A Marathon of Discussions in the Five Largest Cities
During Medijų ir informacinio raštingumo savaitė, libraries will host engaging lectures and discussions, which will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person on YouTube at youtube.com/@bibliotekavisiems. Topics will include copyright, artificial intelligence, critical thinking, propaganda and disinformation, and cybersecurity. Experts from different fields – from technology and finance specialists to journalists and cultural representatives – will take part.
- October 23, 17:30 – Šiaulių apskrities Povilo Višinskio viešoji biblioteka: Lecture “Finansinis raštingumas: kaip valdyti asmeninį biudžetą?” by personal finance advisor and financial literacy podcaster Artūras Rimkus.
- October 24, 17:15 – Panevėžio apskrities Gabrielės Petkevičaitės-Bitės viešoji biblioteka: Lecture-discussion “Kibernetinis saugumas šiandien: grėsmės, prevencija, atsakomybė” by cybersecurity expert and IT specialist Marius Pareščius.
- October 27, 17:30 – Klaipėdos apskrities Ievos Simonaitytės viešoji biblioteka: Discussion “Mano, KŪRĖJO, kūryba ir autorystė – ką turiu žinoti?” with composer and performer Raminta Naujanytė-Bjelle, writer, literary agent, and translator Benas Bėrantas. Moderator – communications and HR manager Ineta Bukelevičė.
- October 29, 17:30 – Vilniaus apskrities Adomo Mickevičiaus viešoji biblioteka: Discussion “Dirbtinis intelektas – pasitikėti ar abejoti?” with prof. dr. Olga Kurasova (Vilnius University, Institute of Data Science and Digital Technologies), communication specialist and blogger Liutauras Ulevičius. Moderator – LRT radio host and journalist Adomas Šimkus.
- October 30, 18:00 – Ąžuolyno biblioteka in Kaunas: Discussion “Kai istorija slysta iš rankų” with prof. dr. Jonas Vaičenonis (Vytautas Magnus University) and historian Simonas Jazavita (Kaunas City Museum).
Orienteering Hikes and Other Highlights
One of the most anticipated activities of the fourth MIRKT savaitė is the orienteering hike “Taigi viską žinau…”. Taking place October 17–31 in nearly 50 Lithuanian towns and cities, the starting point is the local library. During the hike, participants not only discover interesting places in their region but also test their media literacy knowledge by answering questions in the hike’s mobile app. Every participant receives a MIRKT savaitė souvenir. A list of libraries organizing hikes can be found at mirkt.bibliotekavisiems.lt.
On this website, you will also find a virtual escape room designed to test your media literacy knowledge. It can be played on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. In the virtual escape room, players take on the role of a character named Ąžuolas and must prevent malicious actors from obtaining users’ personal data. To succeed, participants need to solve tasks hidden across three rooms of the virtual escape game.
On October 25, the MIRKT protmūšis final with Paulius Ambrazevičius will take place in Kaunas. In the spring, more than 300 players participated in qualifying rounds on media literacy topics in ten Lithuanian libraries. The best teams will compete at the Ąžuolyno biblioteka in Kaunas, answering questions about media, copyright, artificial intelligence, and more.
During MIRKT savaitė, libraries in Utena, Telšiai, Alytus, Klaipėda, and Šakiai will host workshops by the journalistic and media collective NARA, intended for those interested in learning more about responsible journalism and podcast creation.
Free MIRKT Training in Libraries
After Medijų ir informacinio raštingumo savaitė ends, Lithuanian public libraries will continue to invite citizens throughout the year to free training sessions on copyright, critical thinking, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and recognizing disinformation. Librarians note that almost everyone encounters misleading information or fraud in daily life. The goal of training and events held in libraries is to help people gain knowledge on how to identify fake news, use the internet more safely, and become insightful consumers of information.
We invite you to join in building an informed, happy, and smart society!
The global MIRKT savaitė is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania. Organized by the Association of County Public Libraries, the Lithuanian National Martynas Mažvydas Library, the Association of Municipal Public Libraries, and the Association of College Libraries. Media partner – LRT.
Information provided by the Association of County Public Libraries