Knygynų geografija Lietuvoje 2013 metais
Bookstore Geography in Lithuania in 2013

Summary/Abstract: The article analyses the situation of arrangement and range of bookstores in Lithuania in respect of geography (distribution) in 2013. The systemized available data on the existence of bookstores in the territory of Lithuania in the 17th–20th century contributed to the understanding of the aspects of distribution, range and type of bookstores in the 21st century. The number of bookstores functioning in Lithuania in the beginning of 2013 was identified in the course of the study; the peculiarities of their distribution and their dependence on populations in municipalities were analysed; the average range of books in a contemporary bookstore was calculated. The bookstore chains taking up the greatest market share and the regions where bookstores are potentially lacking were identified. It was determined that there were 207 bookstores in Lithuania in the beginning of 2013. They are distributed rather evenly in the territory of Lithuania, depending on the number of residents. There are municipalities without any bookstores. In some of them (Trakai district, Švenčionys district, Zarasai district municipality) the population exceeds the average number of residents serviced by a single bookstore in Lithuania and they are not covered by the municipalities of a large city. Yet other municipalities (Šiauliai district, Alytus district) cover the municipalities of large cities, while the third group is comprised of municipalities having small populations (Birštonas, Kazlų Rūda, Pagėgiai, Rietavas municipalities). The locations (Trakai district, Švenčionys district, Zarasai district) having no bookstores at the moment were identified; however, taking into account their sufficient populations it is likely that bookstores could function and maintain themselves. The municipality of Birštonas is also rather promising – the status of a resort town enables to attract more guests to the town; therefore, as the resort grows, it is likely that the demand for a bookstore will emerge as well. A comparison of five largest cities in Lithuania revealed the greatest competition for buyers in Vilnius and the smallest competition in Klaipėda. Most bookstores operate in the city of Vilnius – nearly one third of all bookstores in Lithuania. By the number of bookstore names most of the largest (offering the books of around 15,000 titles) as well as the smallest (offering the books up to 500 titles) bookstores are based in Vilnius. The biggest concentration of middle-sized bookstores can be found in Kaunas. It was determined that the biggest average bookstore range is in Klaipėda and the smallest in Kaunas. The bookstores of the largest and average networks offer the greatest range of books. The bookstore Pegasas situated in Vilnius (Ozo street 25) can be considered the largest bookstore in Lithuania. It offers the books of around 15,000 titles. Lithuania has two large bookstore chains which take up 31 per cent of the market by the number of bookstore

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