How do you get teenagers reading? Librarians in Lithuania have found an answer in ‘FrienshipLand’ (Draugoteka), a comprehensive year-long programme meticulously crafted to rekindle a passion for reading among teenagers.
The programme was launched in January 2023 and is being delivered through 39 public libraries in Panevėžys, Kaunas and Klaipėda counties. By November 2024 the programme had engaged thousands of teenagers in the three counties in meaningful reading experiences.
The FriendshipLand programme combines a motivational digital game centered on reading, interactive educational sessions in libraries, and a specialized book collection accessible through libraries and a network of self-service book machines extending to rural areas.
Panevėžys County Public Library worked with Kaunas County Public Library and Klaipėda County ‘Ieva Simonaitytė’ Public Library and partners in the education and technology sectors to develop, and implement the FrienshipLand programme. Schools in the three counties were especially important partners, and signed agreements with the libraries undertaking to promote the library programme with students and to bring them to educational sessions at the library.
READING ACTIVITIES THAT TACKLE YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERNS
“We worked with partners to create engaging and playful reading activities that tackle concerns of young people, such as self-awareness, fostering social connections and dealing with bullying behavior,” says Raimonda Gvozdienė, Project Manager, Strategic Development of the Regional Libraries Division, Panevėžys County ‘Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė’ Public Library.
To make sure that everyone knew about the programme, the library ran a really busy marketing campaign. They put ads on the national radio and TV and also used library websites and social media to let people know about it.
The game, available through a mobile app, was especially created for the programme. It introduces participants to five distinctive virtual characters, each navigating situations related to young people’s concerns. The virtual characters, by becoming a player’s friend, tell their stories, sharing how they solved difficult life situations, and how books (and which books) helped them.
Five educational sessions that take place in libraries over a year further explore the themes touched upon in the interactive game, while engaging teenagers in reading books from the FriendshipLand collection. These sessions build the teenagers’ reading, comprehension and critical thinking skills.
The participating libraries have all installed special shelves with books relating to the FrienshipLand programme themes. In all, 3,000 new books were purchased for the programme. The books are marked with FriendshipLand stickers, and they are also available through 39 self-service book machines located near schools and rural libraries. Librarians have noticed high demand for the books, especially after educational sessions.
FriendshipLand participants are reading more
From January 2023 to November 2024, 3,821 teenagers installed the game on their smartphones and 17,543 (5,760 from rural areas) participated in 1,777 educational sessions in the libraries.
Almost 90% of participants who filled in reflection forms reported that they were reading more. Feedback analysis revealed that over 85% of participants showed improved comprehension and increased reading habits.
Here’s what they told the librarians -
"In the educational programmes, I understood that it is okay to be different from others."
"It was fun to read and discover."
“I liked playing games."
"I learned to write and draw what comes to my mind. It was very good."
“By merging digital technology with literature and real-life topics, FriendshipLand sparks a love for books by making them more relatable and impactful, while at the same time empowering teenagers to build stronger social and emotional connections,” says Raimonda.
“FriendshipLand’s multi-pronged strategy is unique in digital reading initiatives in Lithuania, going beyond simply promoting books. We have built a pioneering reading programme across three Lithuanian counties. And the FriendshipLand programme has potential to be adapted for other countries - there is a worldwide problem that teenagers tend not to read books, and libraries can change that,” she adds.
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