Suchergebnisse

After the restoration of independence, Lithuania faced a rather difficult task: in a period of several years it had to catch up with the democratically, economically and socially developed countries of the western world that had succeeded to achieve their present level over many decades. The ambition to produce fast results preconditioned different problems in a number of political spheres. The creation of the regional policy was not an exception either. Despite the fact that quite a speedy improvement of the regions shows a positive progress in this sphere, problems could not be avoided in the process of formation and implementation of the regional policy. Hesitation in solving these problems may bring the situation under threat. The article analyses factors that have contributed to the problems in the sphere of regional policy, and stresses the significance of regionalism on the regional development. ; Po nepriklausomybės atkūrimo Lietuvai teko gana sunki užduotis – per keliolika metų pasivyti demokratiškai, ekonomiškai bei socialiai išsivysčiusias Vakarų pasaulio valstybes, kurios dabartinį lygį pasiekė per daugelį dešimtmečių. Todėl noras pasiekti greitų rezultatų lėmė įvairiausių problemų daugelyje politikos sričių atsiradimą. Regioninės politikos kūrimas taip pat nebuvo išimtis, nors gana spartus regionų būklės gerėjimas rodo teigiamą postūmį šioje srityje, tačiau formuojant bei įgyvendinant regioninę politiką nebuvo išvengta problemų, kurios, laiku nesprendžiamos, gali sukelti pavojingų grėsmių. Straipsnyje nagrinėjami veiksniai, turėję įtakos problemų atsiradimui regioninės politikos srityje, bei pabrėžiama regionalizacijos reikšmė regioninei plėtrai.

The concept of competitiveness has always been a subject of a great interest for researches, politicians and people, involved in practical business. Initially, the notion of competitiveness was related to firm, i.e., micro-economic level. The competitiveness at macro-economic level was analyzed for the first time by M. Porter, who in 1990 has extended and applied his model of the competitive advantage of firms to the competitive advantage of nations, regions and places or "locations" generally. Due to the process of globalization, the concept of national and regional competitiveness has attracted a lot of attention and increasingly been adopted as a policy tool. The necessity of proper analysis of the regional competitiveness concept brings the recognition, that the drivers of national competitiveness have become more local and the regions increasingly become the engines of the global economy, as the globalization blurs national borders. The regionalization of public policies moves the economic coordination and steering functions from the national state up to the international and down to regional level. The compelling reason for focusing on the competitiveness of regions lies also in the changing patterns of private investment flows. Privatized companies, institutional investors and various investment funds are being forced to diversity their portfolios and to put substantial amounts of money in property – geographically dispersed over unfamiliar territories. As researches. [to full text]

The concept of competitiveness has always been a subject of a great interest for researches, politicians and people, involved in practical business. Initially, the notion of competitiveness was related to firm, i.e., micro-economic level. The competitiveness at macro-economic level was analyzed for the first time by M. Porter, who in 1990 has extended and applied his model of the competitive advantage of firms to the competitive advantage of nations, regions and places or "locations" generally. Due to the process of globalization, the concept of national and regional competitiveness has attracted a lot of attention and increasingly been adopted as a policy tool. The necessity of proper analysis of the regional competitiveness concept brings the recognition, that the drivers of national competitiveness have become more local and the regions increasingly become the engines of the global economy, as the globalization blurs national borders. The regionalization of public policies moves the economic coordination and steering functions from the national state up to the international and down to regional level. The compelling reason for focusing on the competitiveness of regions lies also in the changing patterns of private investment flows. Privatized companies, institutional investors and various investment funds are being forced to diversity their portfolios and to put substantial amounts of money in property – geographically dispersed over unfamiliar territories. As researches. [to full text]

The concept of competitiveness has always been a subject of a great interest for researches, politicians and people, involved in practical business. Initially, the notion of competitiveness was related to firm, i.e., micro-economic level. The competitiveness at macro-economic level was analyzed for the first time by M. Porter, who in 1990 has extended and applied his model of the competitive advantage of firms to the competitive advantage of nations, regions and places or "locations" generally. Due to the process of globalization, the concept of national and regional competitiveness has attracted a lot of attention and increasingly been adopted as a policy tool. The necessity of proper analysis of the regional competitiveness concept brings the recognition, that the drivers of national competitiveness have become more local and the regions increasingly become the engines of the global economy, as the globalization blurs national borders. The regionalization of public policies moves the economic coordination and steering functions from the national state up to the international and down to regional level. The compelling reason for focusing on the competitiveness of regions lies also in the changing patterns of private investment flows. Privatized companies, institutional investors and various investment funds are being forced to diversity their portfolios and to put substantial amounts of money in property – geographically dispersed over unfamiliar territories. As researches. [to full text]

The concept of competitiveness has always been a subject of a great interest for researches, politicians and people, involved in practical business. Initially, the notion of competitiveness was related to firm, i.e., micro-economic level. The competitiveness at macro-economic level was analyzed for the first time by M. Porter, who in 1990 has extended and applied his model of the competitive advantage of firms to the competitive advantage of nations, regions and places or "locations" generally. Due to the process of globalization, the concept of national and regional competitiveness has attracted a lot of attention and increasingly been adopted as a policy tool. The necessity of proper analysis of the regional competitiveness concept brings the recognition, that the drivers of national competitiveness have become more local and the regions increasingly become the engines of the global economy, as the globalization blurs national borders. The regionalization of public policies moves the economic coordination and steering functions from the national state up to the international and down to regional level. The compelling reason for focusing on the competitiveness of regions lies also in the changing patterns of private investment flows. Privatized companies, institutional investors and various investment funds are being forced to diversity their portfolios and to put substantial amounts of money in property – geographically dispersed over unfamiliar territories. As researches. [to full text]

The concept of competitiveness has always been a subject of a great interest for researches, politicians and people, involved in practical business. Initially, the notion of competitiveness was related to firm, i.e., micro-economic level. The competitiveness at macro-economic level was analyzed for the first time by M. Porter, who in 1990 has extended and applied his model of the competitive advantage of firms to the competitive advantage of nations, regions and places or "locations" generally. Due to the process of globalization, the concept of national and regional competitiveness has attracted a lot of attention and increasingly been adopted as a policy tool. The necessity of proper analysis of the regional competitiveness concept brings the recognition, that the drivers of national competitiveness have become more local and the regions increasingly become the engines of the global economy, as the globalization blurs national borders. The regionalization of public policies moves the economic coordination and steering functions from the national state up to the international and down to regional level. The compelling reason for focusing on the competitiveness of regions lies also in the changing patterns of private investment flows. Privatized companies, institutional investors and various investment funds are being forced to diversity their portfolios and to put substantial amounts of money in property – geographically dispersed over unfamiliar territories. As researches. [to full text]

In recent decades European regions have faced new social and economic development challenges. Not only globalization but also European integration processes make influence on regional development and lead to regional convergence. Then a region's competitive advantage is decreased or even lost. Seeking to help less advanced regions solve their problems, promote regional development and strengthen regional competitiveness uniqueness of regions should be identified, analysed and evaluated. Regional competitiveness can be strengthened by promoting regional specialization and investments and more effectively using local resources. Local cultural, historical and natural resources identified as unique and used in economic activity will contribute to the creation of value added and new jobs and give other positive results. Regional uniqueness plays an important role, it can be a success factor for regional development and create competitive advantage. In other words, it is important to identify, evaluate and develop the strengths and core skills of a region. The assessment of regional uniqueness will help use EU support more effectively and efficiently and create value added and new jobs. The paper deals with assessment of the regional uniqueness of Lithuania and opportunities for regions to develop and create value added and new jobs. The object of this research is assessment of regional uniqueness seeking to effectively and efficiently use it and facilitate social and economic development of Lithuania's regions. Regional development is important at state, regional and EU levels. More effective use of regional strengths, core skills and unique local resources will help create competitive advantage. The aim of the research is to propose methods for the evaluation of regional uniqueness (unique cultural, historical and natural resources) and regions' opportunities to create value added and new jobs. That could be used for regional policy formation. The research draws on the theory of economic assessment of regional uniqueness. Research methods: the multi-criteria evaluation technique, the SAW method, econometric analysis of panel data, regression analysis, systematic and comparative analysis of statistical data, synthesis, analogy, contextual analysis, logical comparison. Indicators that can be used as a regional uniqueness assessment and regions' classification instrument were identified. The findings can be used for regional policy formation, effective and efficient use of unique resources, value added and new jobs creation. Regional uniqueness assessment is important at several levels: as a new supplementary methodological instrument for regional policy prioritisation (at EU level), as additional criteria attracting EU support for value added and new jobs creation (at national level), as an instrument for setting regions' strategic development directions (at regional level). While developing Lithuania's regional policy and seeking to create added value and new jobs it is recommended to evaluate regional resources (cultural, historical, natural) and classify regions. Research into the issue should be continued, the concept of regional uniqueness developed, regional economic development analysed, local resources evaluated, regional specialization strengthened, investment in regions promoted, regional competitiveness enhanced.

In recent decades European regions have faced new social and economic development challenges. Not only globalization but also European integration processes make influence on regional development and lead to regional convergence. Then a region's competitive advantage is decreased or even lost. Seeking to help less advanced regions solve their problems, promote regional development and strengthen regional competitiveness uniqueness of regions should be identified, analysed and evaluated. Regional competitiveness can be strengthened by promoting regional specialization and investments and more effectively using local resources. Local cultural, historical and natural resources identified as unique and used in economic activity will contribute to the creation of value added and new jobs and give other positive results. Regional uniqueness plays an important role, it can be a success factor for regional development and create competitive advantage. In other words, it is important to identify, evaluate and develop the strengths and core skills of a region. The assessment of regional uniqueness will help use EU support more effectively and efficiently and create value added and new jobs. The paper deals with assessment of the regional uniqueness of Lithuania and opportunities for regions to develop and create value added and new jobs. The object of this research is assessment of regional uniqueness seeking to effectively and efficiently use it and facilitate social and economic development of Lithuania's regions. Regional development is important at state, regional and EU levels. More effective use of regional strengths, core skills and unique local resources will help create competitive advantage. The aim of the research is to propose methods for the evaluation of regional uniqueness (unique cultural, historical and natural resources) and regions' opportunities to create value added and new jobs. That could be used for regional policy formation. The research draws on the theory of economic assessment of regional uniqueness. Research methods: the multi-criteria evaluation technique, the SAW method, econometric analysis of panel data, regression analysis, systematic and comparative analysis of statistical data, synthesis, analogy, contextual analysis, logical comparison. Indicators that can be used as a regional uniqueness assessment and regions' classification instrument were identified. The findings can be used for regional policy formation, effective and efficient use of unique resources, value added and new jobs creation. Regional uniqueness assessment is important at several levels: as a new supplementary methodological instrument for regional policy prioritisation (at EU level), as additional criteria attracting EU support for value added and new jobs creation (at national level), as an instrument for setting regions' strategic development directions (at regional level). While developing Lithuania's regional policy and seeking to create added value and new jobs it is recommended to evaluate regional resources (cultural, historical, natural) and classify regions. Research into the issue should be continued, the concept of regional uniqueness developed, regional economic development analysed, local resources evaluated, regional specialization strengthened, investment in regions promoted, regional competitiveness enhanced.

In recent decades European regions have faced new social and economic development challenges. Not only globalization but also European integration processes make influence on regional development and lead to regional convergence. Then a region's competitive advantage is decreased or even lost. Seeking to help less advanced regions solve their problems, promote regional development and strengthen regional competitiveness uniqueness of regions should be identified, analysed and evaluated. Regional competitiveness can be strengthened by promoting regional specialization and investments and more effectively using local resources. Local cultural, historical and natural resources identified as unique and used in economic activity will contribute to the creation of value added and new jobs and give other positive results. Regional uniqueness plays an important role, it can be a success factor for regional development and create competitive advantage. In other words, it is important to identify, evaluate and develop the strengths and core skills of a region. The assessment of regional uniqueness will help use EU support more effectively and efficiently and create value added and new jobs. The paper deals with assessment of the regional uniqueness of Lithuania and opportunities for regions to develop and create value added and new jobs. The object of this research is assessment of regional uniqueness seeking to effectively and efficiently use it and facilitate social and economic development of Lithuania's regions. Regional development is important at state, regional and EU levels. More effective use of regional strengths, core skills and unique local resources will help create competitive advantage. The aim of the research is to propose methods for the evaluation of regional uniqueness (unique cultural, historical and natural resources) and regions' opportunities to create value added and new jobs. That could be used for regional policy formation. The research draws on the theory of economic assessment of regional uniqueness. Research methods: the multi-criteria evaluation technique, the SAW method, econometric analysis of panel data, regression analysis, systematic and comparative analysis of statistical data, synthesis, analogy, contextual analysis, logical comparison. Indicators that can be used as a regional uniqueness assessment and regions' classification instrument were identified. The findings can be used for regional policy formation, effective and efficient use of unique resources, value added and new jobs creation. Regional uniqueness assessment is important at several levels: as a new supplementary methodological instrument for regional policy prioritisation (at EU level), as additional criteria attracting EU support for value added and new jobs creation (at national level), as an instrument for setting regions' strategic development directions (at regional level). While developing Lithuania's regional policy and seeking to create added value and new jobs it is recommended to evaluate regional resources (cultural, historical, natural) and classify regions. Research into the issue should be continued, the concept of regional uniqueness developed, regional economic development analysed, local resources evaluated, regional specialization strengthened, investment in regions promoted, regional competitiveness enhanced.

In recent decades European regions have faced new social and economic development challenges. Not only globalization but also European integration processes make influence on regional development and lead to regional convergence. Then a region's competitive advantage is decreased or even lost. Seeking to help less advanced regions solve their problems, promote regional development and strengthen regional competitiveness uniqueness of regions should be identified, analysed and evaluated. Regional competitiveness can be strengthened by promoting regional specialization and investments and more effectively using local resources. Local cultural, historical and natural resources identified as unique and used in economic activity will contribute to the creation of value added and new jobs and give other positive results. Regional uniqueness plays an important role, it can be a success factor for regional development and create competitive advantage. In other words, it is important to identify, evaluate and develop the strengths and core skills of a region. The assessment of regional uniqueness will help use EU support more effectively and efficiently and create value added and new jobs. The paper deals with assessment of the regional uniqueness of Lithuania and opportunities for regions to develop and create value added and new jobs. The object of this research is assessment of regional uniqueness seeking to effectively and efficiently use it and facilitate social and economic development of Lithuania's regions. Regional development is important at state, regional and EU levels. More effective use of regional strengths, core skills and unique local resources will help create competitive advantage. The aim of the research is to propose methods for the evaluation of regional uniqueness (unique cultural, historical and natural resources) and regions' opportunities to create value added and new jobs. That could be used for regional policy formation. The research draws on the theory of economic assessment of regional uniqueness. Research methods: the multi-criteria evaluation technique, the SAW method, econometric analysis of panel data, regression analysis, systematic and comparative analysis of statistical data, synthesis, analogy, contextual analysis, logical comparison. Indicators that can be used as a regional uniqueness assessment and regions' classification instrument were identified. The findings can be used for regional policy formation, effective and efficient use of unique resources, value added and new jobs creation. Regional uniqueness assessment is important at several levels: as a new supplementary methodological instrument for regional policy prioritisation (at EU level), as additional criteria attracting EU support for value added and new jobs creation (at national level), as an instrument for setting regions' strategic development directions (at regional level). While developing Lithuania's regional policy and seeking to create added value and new jobs it is recommended to evaluate regional resources (cultural, historical, natural) and classify regions. Research into the issue should be continued, the concept of regional uniqueness developed, regional economic development analysed, local resources evaluated, regional specialization strengthened, investment in regions promoted, regional competitiveness enhanced.

In recent decades European regions have faced new social and economic development challenges. Not only globalization but also European integration processes make influence on regional development and lead to regional convergence. Then a region's competitive advantage is decreased or even lost. Seeking to help less advanced regions solve their problems, promote regional development and strengthen regional competitiveness uniqueness of regions should be identified, analysed and evaluated. Regional competitiveness can be strengthened by promoting regional specialization and investments and more effectively using local resources. Local cultural, historical and natural resources identified as unique and used in economic activity will contribute to the creation of value added and new jobs and give other positive results. Regional uniqueness plays an important role, it can be a success factor for regional development and create competitive advantage. In other words, it is important to identify, evaluate and develop the strengths and core skills of a region. The assessment of regional uniqueness will help use EU support more effectively and efficiently and create value added and new jobs. The paper deals with assessment of the regional uniqueness of Lithuania and opportunities for regions to develop and create value added and new jobs. The object of this research is assessment of regional uniqueness seeking to effectively and efficiently use it and facilitate social and economic development of Lithuania's regions. Regional development is important at state, regional and EU levels. More effective use of regional strengths, core skills and unique local resources will help create competitive advantage. The aim of the research is to propose methods for the evaluation of regional uniqueness (unique cultural, historical and natural resources) and regions' opportunities to create value added and new jobs. That could be used for regional policy formation. The research draws on the theory of economic assessment of regional uniqueness. Research methods: the multi-criteria evaluation technique, the SAW method, econometric analysis of panel data, regression analysis, systematic and comparative analysis of statistical data, synthesis, analogy, contextual analysis, logical comparison. Indicators that can be used as a regional uniqueness assessment and regions' classification instrument were identified. The findings can be used for regional policy formation, effective and efficient use of unique resources, value added and new jobs creation. Regional uniqueness assessment is important at several levels: as a new supplementary methodological instrument for regional policy prioritisation (at EU level), as additional criteria attracting EU support for value added and new jobs creation (at national level), as an instrument for setting regions' strategic development directions (at regional level). While developing Lithuania's regional policy and seeking to create added value and new jobs it is recommended to evaluate regional resources (cultural, historical, natural) and classify regions. Research into the issue should be continued, the concept of regional uniqueness developed, regional economic development analysed, local resources evaluated, regional specialization strengthened, investment in regions promoted, regional competitiveness enhanced.

In recent decades European regions have faced new social and economic development challenges. Not only globalization but also European integration processes make influence on regional development and lead to regional convergence. Then a region's competitive advantage is decreased or even lost. Seeking to help less advanced regions solve their problems, promote regional development and strengthen regional competitiveness uniqueness of regions should be identified, analysed and evaluated. Regional competitiveness can be strengthened by promoting regional specialization and investments and more effectively using local resources. Local cultural, historical and natural resources identified as unique and used in economic activity will contribute to the creation of value added and new jobs and give other positive results. Regional uniqueness plays an important role, it can be a success factor for regional development and create competitive advantage. In other words, it is important to identify, evaluate and develop the strengths and core skills of a region. The assessment of regional uniqueness will help use EU support more effectively and efficiently and create value added and new jobs. The paper deals with assessment of the regional uniqueness of Lithuania and opportunities for regions to develop and create value added and new jobs. The object of this research is assessment of regional uniqueness seeking to effectively and efficiently use it and facilitate social and economic development of Lithuania's regions. Regional development is important at state, regional and EU levels. More effective use of regional strengths, core skills and unique local resources will help create competitive advantage. The aim of the research is to propose methods for the evaluation of regional uniqueness (unique cultural, historical and natural resources) and regions' opportunities to create value added and new jobs. That could be used for regional policy formation. The research draws on the theory of economic assessment of regional uniqueness. Research methods: the multi-criteria evaluation technique, the SAW method, econometric analysis of panel data, regression analysis, systematic and comparative analysis of statistical data, synthesis, analogy, contextual analysis, logical comparison. Indicators that can be used as a regional uniqueness assessment and regions' classification instrument were identified. The findings can be used for regional policy formation, effective and efficient use of unique resources, value added and new jobs creation. Regional uniqueness assessment is important at several levels: as a new supplementary methodological instrument for regional policy prioritisation (at EU level), as additional criteria attracting EU support for value added and new jobs creation (at national level), as an instrument for setting regions' strategic development directions (at regional level). While developing Lithuania's regional policy and seeking to create added value and new jobs it is recommended to evaluate regional resources (cultural, historical, natural) and classify regions. Research into the issue should be continued, the concept of regional uniqueness developed, regional economic development analysed, local resources evaluated, regional specialization strengthened, investment in regions promoted, regional competitiveness enhanced.

Regional studies are not ends in themselves; they have a clear methodological basis – regionalism – promoting the complex look at these studies, as well as the search for distinctive forms of regional cultural expressions. In Lithuania, century-long regional studies of book culture have survived an uneven evolution. It was influenced by the instability of the evolution of regionalism, the processes of sovietisation, and the inaction of current regional policy in the country. In the context of Eastern Europe, regional studies have not significantly lagged behind the general development of book science; thus, the attention to them has always remained fairly consistent. The largest historical gains are achieved by the studies of Lithuania Minor, started in the 20th century by Prof. V. Gaigalaitis and A. Bruožis, and in the 70s taken over and qualitatively developed by Prof. D. Kaunas. The most important historiographical achievement is the assessment of an autonomous concept of book culture in Lithuania Minor. It has been achieved by a consistent and systematic investigation of the press, publishing, library and book trade history in this region. Regional studies of the biggest regions of Lithuania – Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia – differ significantly among themselves. Prof. V. Biržiška, who was the first to formulate the concept of the book of Samogitia, had given a positive shift in developing the further studies of this region. Despite the lack in generalising works, localized studies, as well as the analysis of individual issues facilitate the favourable conditions for the reconstruction of a multi-faceted picture of book culture in Samogitia. The maturity of studies in the regions of Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia is considerably more modest – library studies are mainly developed, a smaller extent of book distribution is noticed. Therefore, a more broadly developed analysis of individual questions cannot represent the direction of regional studies. In general, regional studies lack social sections; consequently, the relationships of the inhabitants of different regions to the book are still difficult to imagine. From the institutional point of view, there is a lack of the concentration of regional study centres; as a result, the history research centres operating either in Klaipėda or in Šiauliai pay little attention to the problems of regional book history, and the researchers engaged in this activity do not always manage to overstep the boundaries of Šiauliai and Klaipėda cities. Since the middle of the 20th century, the most famous centre of the concentration of book science studies has been the one established in the Vilnius University; for this reason, representatives of library science and book studies in the regional studies accumulated the majority of theoretical and empirical knowledge. The historical past of the regions of Lithuania has a direct link to the maturity of regional studies, but the studies of book culture are not only historical. The fixation of the present situation and its analysis are of no less importance than the studies of the problems of the past book history. In the theoretical context of regional studies, we still lag behind our Eastern and Western neighbours; for this reason, we often solve contemporaneous historiographical problems rather than trying to find the continuity of the forms of regional book culture. From the positions of the book culture paradigm of V. Vasiliev, the majority of the aspects of book culture have been more or less explored, except for the problems of book art. The challenge for future studies is the search for theoretical and methodological decisions allowing the evaluation of regional book culture as a form of regional cultural expression.

Regional studies are not ends in themselves; they have a clear methodological basis – regionalism – promoting the complex look at these studies, as well as the search for distinctive forms of regional cultural expressions. In Lithuania, century-long regional studies of book culture have survived an uneven evolution. It was influenced by the instability of the evolution of regionalism, the processes of sovietisation, and the inaction of current regional policy in the country. In the context of Eastern Europe, regional studies have not significantly lagged behind the general development of book science; thus, the attention to them has always remained fairly consistent. The largest historical gains are achieved by the studies of Lithuania Minor, started in the 20th century by Prof. V. Gaigalaitis and A. Bruožis, and in the 70s taken over and qualitatively developed by Prof. D. Kaunas. The most important historiographical achievement is the assessment of an autonomous concept of book culture in Lithuania Minor. It has been achieved by a consistent and systematic investigation of the press, publishing, library and book trade history in this region. Regional studies of the biggest regions of Lithuania – Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia – differ significantly among themselves. Prof. V. Biržiška, who was the first to formulate the concept of the book of Samogitia, had given a positive shift in developing the further studies of this region. Despite the lack in generalising works, localized studies, as well as the analysis of individual issues facilitate the favourable conditions for the reconstruction of a multi-faceted picture of book culture in Samogitia. The maturity of studies in the regions of Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, Suvalkija, and Samogitia is considerably more modest – library studies are mainly developed, a smaller extent of book distribution is noticed. Therefore, a more broadly developed analysis of individual questions cannot represent the direction of regional studies. In general, regional studies lack social sections; consequently, the relationships of the inhabitants of different regions to the book are still difficult to imagine. From the institutional point of view, there is a lack of the concentration of regional study centres; as a result, the history research centres operating either in Klaipėda or in Šiauliai pay little attention to the problems of regional book history, and the researchers engaged in this activity do not always manage to overstep the boundaries of Šiauliai and Klaipėda cities. Since the middle of the 20th century, the most famous centre of the concentration of book science studies has been the one established in the Vilnius University; for this reason, representatives of library science and book studies in the regional studies accumulated the majority of theoretical and empirical knowledge. The historical past of the regions of Lithuania has a direct link to the maturity of regional studies, but the studies of book culture are not only historical. The fixation of the present situation and its analysis are of no less importance than the studies of the problems of the past book history. In the theoretical context of regional studies, we still lag behind our Eastern and Western neighbours; for this reason, we often solve contemporaneous historiographical problems rather than trying to find the continuity of the forms of regional book culture. From the positions of the book culture paradigm of V. Vasiliev, the majority of the aspects of book culture have been more or less explored, except for the problems of book art. The challenge for future studies is the search for theoretical and methodological decisions allowing the evaluation of regional book culture as a form of regional cultural expression.