The Beginning of the Large-Scale Reconstruction of the Russian State Library: Architecture and Digitalization

The article reveals the foundations of design and research surveys, on the basis of which the Russian State Library (RSL) implemented the project of repair and restoration works for the central entrance of the library. The aim of the works was to adapt the cultural heritage object to modern use. The building complex, conceived in the mid — 1920s, was completed by 1940, but it was not fully commissioned until 1960. In the mid — 1970s, there was insufficient space to store the growing holdings. The front decoration of the central hall suffered enormous damage over the years. In 2019, a negative trend in the condition of the building was revealed. The main book depository was overloaded. The problems of the RSL are combined in a comprehensive investment programme for the reconstruction and restoration of infrastructure facilities. In 2019—2020, design solutions were developed for the repair and restoration of buildings and individual public spaces of the library. In 2021, the first stage of restoration of the entrance group began. The decision was made to carry out the work in a service-preserving environment and the challenge was to transform the very model of service to readers. The team working on the restoration made decisions reflecting the development of 21st century technologies and current standards for the automation of library processes. As a result of the works, new technological channels for the building operation and space for servicing readers were arranged, a climate control system was installed, the power supply and electric lighting system was replaced, historical interiors were restored, modern fire and engineering safety systems were created, a new centralized information and navigation complex for readers was deployed, etc. In 2023, a grandiose historical space was opened for the RSL readers.

1. Levin G.L. (ed.) Ocherki razvitiya bibliograficheskoi deyatel’nosti Rossiiskoi gosudarstvennoi biblioteki: monografiya [Essays on Bibliographic Activity of the Russian State Library: monograph]. Moscow, Pashkov Dom Publ., 2022, 734 p.

2. Samarin A.Yu. (ed.) Nauchnye issledovaniya v bibliotekakh: tematika, organizatsiya, predstavlenie rezul’tatov: monografiya [Scientific Research in Libraries: Its Subject, Organization, Presentation of Results: monograph]. Moscow, Pashkov Dom Publ., 2023, 326 p.

3. Shchegolkov T. How to Ensure the Safety and Security of the Funds of the Russian State Library, Sistemy bezopasnosti [Security and Safety], 2021, no. 3 (159), pp. 18—19 (in Russ.).

4. Zimina E.I., Samodova Yu.V., Serova O.V. Increasing Space for Collections Storing: National Libraries Practice, Bibliotekovedenie [Russian Journal of Library Science], 2023, vol. 72, no. 5, pp. 447—464. DOI: 10.25281/0869-608X-2023-72-5-447-464 (in Russ.).

5. Chital’nye zaly Rossiiskoi gosudarstvennoi biblioteki (1862 god — nachalo XXI veka): monografiya [The Reading Rooms of the Russian State Library (1862 — Beginning of the 21st Century): monograph]. Moscow, Pashkov Dom Publ., 2023, 250 p.

6. Dubinina O.A. Biblioteka v prostranstve sovremennogo goroda. Arkhitektura i dizain. Ot proshlogo k budushchemu [Library in the Space of Modern City. Architecture and Design. From the Past to the Future]. Moscow, Bibliomir Publ., 2014, 160 p.

7. Lensu Ya.Yu. Architecture and Design of Libraries in the Mirror of History, Innovatsionnye obrazovatel’nye tekhnologii [Innovative Educational Technologies], 2016, no. 4 (48), pp. 47—53 (in Russ.).

8. Pomorov S.B., Pomorova Yu.G., Romashchenko E.A. Architecture Library in the Format of Digital Technology, Vestnik Kyrgyzsko-Rossiiskogo Slavyanskogo universiteta [Vestnik KRSU], 2019, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 77—82 (in Russ.).

9. Dubinina O.A. The Influence of Information Technologies on Library and Its Architecture, Bibliosfera [Bibliosphere], 2012, no. 4, pp. 8—12 (in Russ.).

10. Gnezdilov V.I. The Russian State Library in a Changing World: Traditions in the Context of Digital Age, Bibliotekovedenie [Russian Journal of Library Science], 2017, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 621—628. DOI: 10.25281/0869-608X-2017-66-6-621-628 in Russ.).

11. Duda V., Galeeva I., Lushnikov P., Kovalevsky D., Shubin M., Loginov B. (eds.) Russian Electronic Knowledge Space, Universitetskaya kniga [University Book], 2022, no. 1, pp. 44—47 (in Russ.).

12. Mestnov A. Competition for the Design of a New V.I. Lenin Library Building, Stroitel’stvo Moskvy [Construction of Moscow], 1928, no. 6, pp. 3—8 (in Russ.).

13. Moscow Architectural Organizations Regarding the Competition for the Construction of the Lenin Library, Stroitel’stvo Moskvy [Construction of Moscow], 1929, no. 7, pp. 22 (in Russ.).

14. New Building of the Lenin Library as a Monumental Architectural Object of the Era, Stroitel’stvo Moskvy [Construction of Moscow], 1929, no. 7, pp. 18—21 (in Russ.).

15. Competition for the V.I. Lenin Library, archit. N.A. Kruglov, Stroitel’naya promyshlennost’ [Construction Industry], 1928, no. 8, pp. 562—565 (in Russ.).

16. Vesnin Brothers. Central Library Named After V.I. Lenin in Moscow. The Second Draft Project, Sovremennaya arkhitektura [Contemporary Architecture], 1929, no. 3, pp. 89—94 (in Russ.).

17. Dzhus K. A New Building of the Library, Arkhitektura SSSR [Architecture of the USSR], 1938, no. 12, pp. 5—14 (in Russ.).

18. Elinson V. Lighting of a New Book Depository, Arkhitektura SSSR [Architecture of the USSR], 1938, no. 12, pp. 26—28 (in Russ.).

19. Vladimirov G. Equipment and Mechanization, Arkhitektura SSSR [Architecture of the USSR], 1938, no. 12, pp. 21—25 (in Russ.).

20. Bassekhes A. Sculpture on the Building, Arkhitektura SSSR [Architecture of the USSR], 1938, no. 12, pp. 15—20 (in Russ.).