Libraries and the Special Military Operation: All Out for Victory!

This article introduces a thematic issue of the journal “Bibliotekovedenie” dedicated to the Special Military Operation (SVO), which features original research articles and reviews based on papers presented at the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Seminar “Society’s Recognition of the Merits of SVO Veterans: The Role of Libraries” (February 26, 2026, Russian State Library). The professional dialogue within the library community focused on understanding the role of libraries in recognizing the merits of SVO veterans and supporting combat participants and their families. The forum comprehensively reflected the contribution of libraries to the holistic system of measures to perpetuate the memory and glorify the heroism of SVO participants. Libraries’ efforts to recognize the merits of SVO participants and veterans should be guided by traditional Russian spiritual and moral values and be comprehensive, systemic and systematic. Such activities require particular sensitivity, respect, and professional responsibility. In the context of the Second World War, when our country is undergoing severe trials, culture is the moral core that resists the pressure of circumstances. Culture is a strategic resource for the state and society, a tool for preserving sovereignty and building national resilience in the face of any challenges. Libraries serve as a living mechanism for transmitting cultural codes from generation to generation. They systematically collect, verify, and archive contemporary evidence—from personal letters to digital materials. This activity creates an authoritative source base for future researchers and serves as a tool for protecting historical truth. At the same time, libraries are developing as social spaces. Their educational mission, based on the examples of courage of our soldiers, is acquiring particular significance. Libraries are becoming spaces for social therapy and cultural continuity, where the memory of the past meets the challenges of the present, forming the foundation for a sustainable future. The publications of the journal “Bibliotekovedenie” exemplify the creation of a body of scientific and practical materials that can be subsequently consulted by researchers of this pivotal historical event.