Laura Petrauskienė Appointed Head of the Library and Information Centre
Since 1 June, Laura Petrauskienė has been leading the Library and Information Centre of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU). We spoke with the new Head about her appointment, future plans and interests outside work.
Two decades of experience
Laura Petrauskienė began her professional journey at the LSMU Library while still a student. At the time, she worked weekends in the reading room on A. Mickevičiaus Street in Kaunas, where the University’s Study Centre is now located.
“Later, I worked as an Information Specialist in the University Library’s Information Services Department, and from 2014 I headed that department,” she said, reflecting on the beginnings of her career.
Having assumed her new position last week, Laura Petrauskienė notes that while the activities of the Library and Information Centre and its staff are very familiar to her, the role of Head brings new responsibilities.
“I have been working in the Library for more than 20 years, so both the work and the team are very familiar to me. Nevertheless, a leadership position brings new responsibilities and a different perspective on everyday tasks. I feel very comfortable in my new role and am eager to work actively alongside the team and contribute to the continued development of the Library and Information Centre,” she says.
The importance of workplace culture
Speaking about her immediate plans, the new Head emphasised that she is not planning any radical changes. In her view, it is important to preserve what has already proven successful and is valued by both library users and staff, while at the same time keeping pace with modern developments.
“We will continue to expand our electronic services, promote information literacy and ensure that the services we provide meet the needs and expectations of today’s academic community,” she explains.
Laura Petrauskienė describes the Library and Information Centre team as professional, highly competent and dedicated to their work. According to her, one of the key priorities is maintaining a workplace culture based on mutual trust, support and collaboration.
“Our staff are experts in their respective fields, possess valuable experience and continuously strive to improve. Only by working together can we successfully achieve our goals,” she says.
A passion for literature
Outside work, Laura Petrauskienė devotes most of her time to her family, which she describes as her greatest source of strength and inspiration.
“My family is my greatest treasure. After work, we try to spend as much time together as possible – talking, sharing the experiences of our day and enjoying peaceful evenings. My family is my greatest source of strength, inspiration and support,” she emphasises.
She is also an enthusiastic traveller who enjoys discovering new cultures and sampling traditional dishes from different countries. In addition, she is a passionate reader with a particular interest in literature. She is especially fond of historical novels about monarchs, royal dynasties and notable figures from Lithuanian history.
“It is encouraging to see that, in recent years, more and more books have been published about historical figures from Lithuania. I dream that one day a high-quality feature film or even a television series will be produced about Lithuania’s grand dukes – their lives, decisions, victories and challenges,” she shares.
When asked about her personal motto, Laura Petrauskienė cited a saying that guides her daily life: “A smile costs nothing but gives a great deal”. She concluded by emphasising that sincerity, respect and kindness are the foundations of strong relationships, both in professional life and in personal life.
We congratulate Laura Petrauskienė on her appointment as Head of the Library and Information Centre and wish her every success in her new role!