LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Bibliotekų archyvai; Bibliotekų istorija; Knygų nuosavybės ženklai; Labdaros fondai; Skaityklos; Spaudos draudimas; Viešosios ir privačios bibliotekos; Šiauliai; Šiaulių berniukų gimnazijos biblioteka; Šiaulių regionas; Šiaulių visuomenės biblioteka; Book ownership marks; Charity funds; Library archives; Press ban; Reading rooms; Region public and private libraries; The history of libraries; Šiauliai; Šiauliai Boys Gymnasium Library; Šiauliai Public Library.
ENOn September 11, 1851, the first public library in town was opened in Šiauliai Boys’ High School. In 1861, in Šiauliai was founded the first public Society Library, which functioned till 1864. During the periods of 1874–1875 and 1882–1890 a small secret library of Šiauliai Boys’ High School was housed in Count V. Zubovas’ mansion. On December 6, 1897, Temperance Care Committee established in Šiauliai a free library and reading room, named after Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. In 1902, in Šiauliai was opened a public Society Library, located on the first floor of Count V. Zubovas’ mansion. The library continued to exist from membership and reader fees and charitable funds. The Society Library was open to anyone wishing to read, so it is considered to be the initial development stage of Šiauliai Public Library. During World War I, in 1914, the main part of Šiauliai Public Library along with the archive was transported to Russia. [From the publication]