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The aim of the article is to reveal the ideological attitudes and organizational structure of Lithuanian bibliophilia of the end of the 5th–9th decades. Alongside with the term bibliophilia as we understand it today, the term mass bibliophilia is also used in the article. The latter allows to identify precisely the attitude of the Soviet ideologists towards bibliophilia, which was inculcated officially (via the press and formal activities of certain organizations) as ostensibly a mass phenomenon that has passed from an exclusive and narrow to an open and broad space (in terms of quantity) and this conditioned distortion of traditionally understood essence of bibliophilia (in terms of quality). Mass bibliophilia is an elementary liking for books, collecting books and love of books. The development of Lithuanian bibliophilia in the Soviet times may be divided into two periods: 1) preorganizational, which lasted from 1940 when the Society of XXVII Book Lovers was closed, to 1974 when the Voluntary Society of Book Friends of Lithuanian SSR was founded, and 2) organizational. In the first period, already during the German occupation, there were discussions about the revival of official activities of the mentioned XXVII Book Lovers' Society. In 1959, Romualdas Šalūga for the first time brought the idea in the press about the need to establish a book lovers' society; however, although the idea was noticed, it was not realized at that time. There are archival and other sources that may imply wide non-formal professional ties between bibliophiles approximatelyfrom the second half of the 6th decade. In the period 1970–1975, on the initiative of the same R. Šalūga, a Vilnius book friends' club was functioning, combining bibliophilic and cultural-cognitive activities. In the second stage of bibliophilia development, an important role fell to the Voluntary Society of Book Friends of Lithuanian SSR, established in 1974. The latter was perceived by its founders as a mass public bibliophilic organization. The Society was later criticized for bureaucracy and artificiality of its activities; nevertheless, it is important to accentuate that it was this society that capacitated legal activities of the book friends' club from 1975. Rather often book friends' clubs were used as means for cultural matters. Due to the fragmentary coverage of the activities of such clubs and shortage of their archives it is difficult to say at the moment how many book friends' clubs, apart from the Vilnius Mažvydas and Plungė Daukantas clubs, were (or if they ever were) of bibliophilic profile. The activity of the two latter clubs, were not equal, either. It was impacted by both external (cultural politics carried on by the Soviet regime in Lithuania) and internal factors (who was a chairperson, affinity of members' interests, etc.). Those clubs played an important role in the history of Lithuanian bibliophilia, and they are the only ones that continue their activities since the Soviet time up to now. ; Vilniaus universiteto Knygotyros ir dokumentotyros institutasUniversiteto g. 3, LT-01513 Vilnius, LietuvaEl. paštas: inga.liepaite@kf.stud.vu.ltStraipsnyje siekiama atskleisti Lietuvos bibliofilijos idėjines nuostatas ir organizacinę struktūrą nuo 5-ojo dešimtmečio iki 9-ojo dešimtmečio pabaigos. Bibliofilijos raida sovietmečiu organizacijos požiūriu skirtina į du laikotarpius: 1) ikiorganizacinį, trukusį nuo 1940 m., kai buvo uždaryta XXVII knygos mėgėjų draugija, iki 1974-ųjų, kai buvo įsteigta Lietuvos TSR savanoriška knygos bičiulių draugija, ir 2) organizacinį. Pirmuoju jų dar vokiečių okupacijos metais būta svarstymų apie XXVII knygos mėgėjų draugijos oficialios veiklos atgaivinimą. Jau pirmaisiais postalininio laikotarpio metais bibliofilai buvo susaistyti plačių neformalių ryšių, ir tai galėjo lemti, kad 1959 m. pirmą kartą viešai iškelta knygos mylėtojų draugijos steigimo idėja. 1970–1975 m. laikotarpiu Vilniuje neformaliai funkcionavo knygos bičiulių klubas, derinęs bibliofilinę ir kultūrinę pažintinę veiklas. Antruoju etapu svarbus vaidmuo teko Lietuvos TSR savanoriškai knygos bičiulių draugijai. Pastaroji, jos steigėjų suvokta kaip masinė visuomeninė bibliofilinė organizacija, sudarė sąlygas legaliai knygos bičiulių klubinei veiklai nuo 1975 m. funkcionuoti. Lietuvos bibliofilijos istorijoje svarbų vaidmenį atliko Vilniaus Mažvydo ir Plungės Daukanto knygos bičiulių klubai, vieninteliai tebetęsiantys savo veiklą iki šių dienų.

In the period 1970–1975, on the initiative of the same R. Šalūga, a Vilnius book friends' club was functioning, combining bibliophilic and cultural-cognitive activities. In the second stage of bibliophilia development, an important role fell to the Voluntary Society of Book Friends of Lithuanian SSR, established in 1974. The latter was perceived by its founders as a mass public bibliophilic organization. The Society was later criticized for bureaucracy and artificiality of its activities; nevertheless, it is important to accentuate that it was this society that capacitated legal activities of the book friends' club from 1975. Rather often book friends' clubs were used as means for cultural matters. Due to the fragmentary coverage of the activities of such clubs and shortage of their archives it is difficult to say at the moment how many book friends' clubs, apart from the Vilnius Mažvydas and Plungė Daukantas clubs, were (or if they ever were) of bibliophilic profile. The activity of the two latter clubs, were not equal, either. It was impacted by both external (cultural politics carried on by the Soviet regime in Lithuania) and internal factors (who was a chairperson, affinity of members' interests, etc.). Those clubs played an important role in the history of Lithuanian bibliophilia, and they are the only ones that continue their activities since the Soviet time up to now.

In the period 1970–1975, on the initiative of the same R. Šalūga, a Vilnius book friends' club was functioning, combining bibliophilic and cultural-cognitive activities. In the second stage of bibliophilia development, an important role fell to the Voluntary Society of Book Friends of Lithuanian SSR, established in 1974. The latter was perceived by its founders as a mass public bibliophilic organization. The Society was later criticized for bureaucracy and artificiality of its activities; nevertheless, it is important to accentuate that it was this society that capacitated legal activities of the book friends' club from 1975. Rather often book friends' clubs were used as means for cultural matters. Due to the fragmentary coverage of the activities of such clubs and shortage of their archives it is difficult to say at the moment how many book friends' clubs, apart from the Vilnius Mažvydas and Plungė Daukantas clubs, were (or if they ever were) of bibliophilic profile. The activity of the two latter clubs, were not equal, either. It was impacted by both external (cultural politics carried on by the Soviet regime in Lithuania) and internal factors (who was a chairperson, affinity of members' interests, etc.). Those clubs played an important role in the history of Lithuanian bibliophilia, and they are the only ones that continue their activities since the Soviet time up to now.

In the period 1970–1975, on the initiative of the same R. Šalūga, a Vilnius book friends' club was functioning, combining bibliophilic and cultural-cognitive activities. In the second stage of bibliophilia development, an important role fell to the Voluntary Society of Book Friends of Lithuanian SSR, established in 1974. The latter was perceived by its founders as a mass public bibliophilic organization. The Society was later criticized for bureaucracy and artificiality of its activities; nevertheless, it is important to accentuate that it was this society that capacitated legal activities of the book friends' club from 1975. Rather often book friends' clubs were used as means for cultural matters. Due to the fragmentary coverage of the activities of such clubs and shortage of their archives it is difficult to say at the moment how many book friends' clubs, apart from the Vilnius Mažvydas and Plungė Daukantas clubs, were (or if they ever were) of bibliophilic profile. The activity of the two latter clubs, were not equal, either. It was impacted by both external (cultural politics carried on by the Soviet regime in Lithuania) and internal factors (who was a chairperson, affinity of members' interests, etc.). Those clubs played an important role in the history of Lithuanian bibliophilia, and they are the only ones that continue their activities since the Soviet time up to now.

In the period 1970–1975, on the initiative of the same R. Šalūga, a Vilnius book friends' club was functioning, combining bibliophilic and cultural-cognitive activities. In the second stage of bibliophilia development, an important role fell to the Voluntary Society of Book Friends of Lithuanian SSR, established in 1974. The latter was perceived by its founders as a mass public bibliophilic organization. The Society was later criticized for bureaucracy and artificiality of its activities; nevertheless, it is important to accentuate that it was this society that capacitated legal activities of the book friends' club from 1975. Rather often book friends' clubs were used as means for cultural matters. Due to the fragmentary coverage of the activities of such clubs and shortage of their archives it is difficult to say at the moment how many book friends' clubs, apart from the Vilnius Mažvydas and Plungė Daukantas clubs, were (or if they ever were) of bibliophilic profile. The activity of the two latter clubs, were not equal, either. It was impacted by both external (cultural politics carried on by the Soviet regime in Lithuania) and internal factors (who was a chairperson, affinity of members' interests, etc.). Those clubs played an important role in the history of Lithuanian bibliophilia, and they are the only ones that continue their activities since the Soviet time up to now.

Book science has old and deep traditions in Lithuania. At the beginning of the 19th century book science has become the object of scientific discussions not only in Europe but also in Lithuania. There are two main periods of book science – primary and theoretical. It is important also to take note of period of modern book science which has been developing from 1990. The science and its creators have significant achievements which should be summed up. The object of this work is Lithuanian book science from the beginning of the 19th century to these days. The purpose is to show the maturity of book science and its role in the general context of sciences system of Lithuania. The main tasks are: to analyse the activity of the most important and significant institutions which are forming the organization ant structure of book science; to analyse the continuous publication "Knygotyra" and international conferences of book science which are organized in Lithuania; to bring out the foremost creators of Lithuanian book science and to show the main ideas and conceptions which were dominating in their studies as well alternation of that ideas and conceptions in particular period by appealing to their studies; to sum up the state of modern book science and show the factors conditioning it. There were used the methods of analysis of published and not published sources, historiographical, comparative, statistical analysis of data, bibliographical and estimation of experts methods in this work. There was come to the conclusion that the leaders of science schools have had the most influence on development of Lithuanian book science. Their alternation has prompted alterations of ranges and methodological solutions of conception, structure and object of research of book science, at once the advance of science. The activity of pioneers of book science Joachimas Lelewelis and Aleksandras Wiktoras Bohatkiewiczius has been important in primary period of development of book science. There can be accentuated the schools of two scientists – Vaclovas Biržiška and Levas Vladimirovas – in the development of theoretical book science. The school of modern book science has formed under the influence of the said scientists. Each school has special brands. The strong tendency of continuity of science traditions and main ideas allows speak about forming the school of wider dimension – national school. Important features which proclaim the existence of school are the following: formed institutional system of book science and its purposeful activity; publishing of continuous publication "Knygotyra"; organization of yearly international conferences of book science; publication of fundamental studies; creation of theoretical opinions resumptive studies; working of postgraduate and doctoral studies of book science; recognition of research results abroad. The alternation of named features in point of quality and quantity as well the increase of complex of these features leads towards substantiation of proposition that book science is mature science. The increase of collective of scientists, rational planning of research work, wideness and modernization of field of range of book science research problems, inducement of advance of book science internationally and role of Lithuanian book science how leader in neighbour Baltic states are the identificators of maturity of science also. Attribution to underlying lithuanistical research and received sponsorship for pursued research works and projects of publishing by programmes which are realized by government of the state reflect the role of book science in the general context of sciences system in Lithuania best. The importance and role of book science have been increasing in culture of Lithuania of late years especially. The traditional and the new researches of book science expand importantly and guarantee the sphere of knowledge and succession of state's cultural heritage.

Book science has old and deep traditions in Lithuania. At the beginning of the 19th century book science has become the object of scientific discussions not only in Europe but also in Lithuania. There are two main periods of book science – primary and theoretical. It is important also to take note of period of modern book science which has been developing from 1990. The science and its creators have significant achievements which should be summed up. The object of this work is Lithuanian book science from the beginning of the 19th century to these days. The purpose is to show the maturity of book science and its role in the general context of sciences system of Lithuania. The main tasks are: to analyse the activity of the most important and significant institutions which are forming the organization ant structure of book science; to analyse the continuous publication "Knygotyra" and international conferences of book science which are organized in Lithuania; to bring out the foremost creators of Lithuanian book science and to show the main ideas and conceptions which were dominating in their studies as well alternation of that ideas and conceptions in particular period by appealing to their studies; to sum up the state of modern book science and show the factors conditioning it. There were used the methods of analysis of published and not published sources, historiographical, comparative, statistical analysis of data, bibliographical and estimation of experts methods in this work. There was come to the conclusion that the leaders of science schools have had the most influence on development of Lithuanian book science. Their alternation has prompted alterations of ranges and methodological solutions of conception, structure and object of research of book science, at once the advance of science. The activity of pioneers of book science Joachimas Lelewelis and Aleksandras Wiktoras Bohatkiewiczius has been important in primary period of development of book science. There can be accentuated the schools of two scientists – Vaclovas Biržiška and Levas Vladimirovas – in the development of theoretical book science. The school of modern book science has formed under the influence of the said scientists. Each school has special brands. The strong tendency of continuity of science traditions and main ideas allows speak about forming the school of wider dimension – national school. Important features which proclaim the existence of school are the following: formed institutional system of book science and its purposeful activity; publishing of continuous publication "Knygotyra"; organization of yearly international conferences of book science; publication of fundamental studies; creation of theoretical opinions resumptive studies; working of postgraduate and doctoral studies of book science; recognition of research results abroad. The alternation of named features in point of quality and quantity as well the increase of complex of these features leads towards substantiation of proposition that book science is mature science. The increase of collective of scientists, rational planning of research work, wideness and modernization of field of range of book science research problems, inducement of advance of book science internationally and role of Lithuanian book science how leader in neighbour Baltic states are the identificators of maturity of science also. Attribution to underlying lithuanistical research and received sponsorship for pursued research works and projects of publishing by programmes which are realized by government of the state reflect the role of book science in the general context of sciences system in Lithuania best. The importance and role of book science have been increasing in culture of Lithuania of late years especially. The traditional and the new researches of book science expand importantly and guarantee the sphere of knowledge and succession of state's cultural heritage.