From June 1–5, 2026, Virginija Pleskienė, Head of the Faculty of Arts and Design Library, participated in the International Staff Training Week “Cultural and Social Staff Skills” organized by the Technical University of Madrid under the Erasmus+ programme.
The Technical University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM) was established in 1971 through the merger of several engineering, technical, and architectural schools, some of which date back to the 18th century. UPM is Spain’s leading technical university, comprising 18 faculties and 22 research institutes. Its approximately 40,000 students can choose from 55 bachelor’s, 105 master’s, and 44 doctoral degree programmes.
The International Week brought together 54 participants from four continents and 19 countries. During the programme, participants visited six faculties, their museums and laboratories, as well as several cultural and historical sites in the city like the famous Escorial Palace with its impressive library. They were introduced to UPM’s strategy, organizational structure, research priorities, and particularly its active involvement in international projects. Ms. Pleskienė was especially impressed by visits to the Faculties of Fashion and Design and Architecture, as several UPM study programmes closely correspond to those offered by Vilniaus kolegija Higher Education Institution.
The structure of the UPM Library is similar to that of the Vilniaus kolegija Library: each faculty has its own library, while the central library consists of administrative staff. The UPM Library includes 15 branches, each employing between five and fifteen librarians. During the International Week, Ms. Pleskienė visited six faculty libraries and learned about the services they provide to students and academic staff. She was particularly impressed by the strong focus on users’ needs: all libraries are exceptionally spacious, well-equipped, and offer numerous study and workspaces. The UPM Library’s collections are noteworthy not only for their extensive holdings in technical and engineering literature but also for their valuable collection of rare and historical publications.
The week provided an excellent opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with colleagues from academic institutions around the world, broaden professional horizons, and deepen professional knowledge and expertise.
