The Role of Belgorod Region Libraries in Preserving the Chronicle of the SVO

This article examines the Valuyki Centralized Library System’s experience in developing a comprehensive archival and memorial complex in a border region. It describes a three-tiered model of work, including the collection and verification of facts, the interpretation of events through creativity and dialogue, and practical support for the population.

The factual level presents a system for documenting contemporary events, implemented within the framework of the regional project “Chronicle of Settlements of the Belgorod Region” (966 entries for 2025) and the maintenance of an internal electronic album “Memory Z” (59 biographical notes). Particular attention is paid to issues of ethics and information security: the strict selection of information, the protection of personal data, and the local storage of materials. The second level is developed through publishing activities. Using the example of the poetry collection “On the Edge of Silence” (63 works by 13 authors), it demonstrates how the library becomes a platform for preserving the emotional layer of historical memory. The texts are processed with careful editorial attention and control, eliminating destructive tendencies while preserving the sincerity of the experiences. The third level is presented as the practical application of accumulated knowledge. The following areas of activity are described: legal counseling for the families of SVO participants (approximately 150 consultations), volunteer assistance (more than 70 volunteers), book collection campaigns, the production of camouflage nets and trench candles, and the organization of leisure activities for military personnel and their families.

Special attention is given to the organizational principles that allowed for the development of the system: coordinated planning taking into account territorial specifics, social partnerships with veteran, student, and volunteer associations, and a personalized approach to each event.

A conclusion is drawn about the transformation of the library profession: from a custodian of collections to an active social institution, combining the functions of an archive, a research center, a mediator of public discussions, and an organizer of practical assistance.

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