It is analyzed the current status and problems of Library and Information Science Education. The major problems are highlighted: vocational work with applicants and students, the responsibility of employers for targeted training, the employment of graduates, frequent changes of Federal Education Standards, absence of professional standard for “Library and Information Specialist”, the ratio of activities and competences of secondary and higher education levels, regeneration of scientific-pedagogical staff, organization of professional development training for culture university professors and librarians, etc. The ways of solutions are shown, using the example of St. Petersburg State Institute of Culture (SPbGIK). Strengths are highlighted: the reputation of SPbGIK as the oldest university in the area of culture; the availability of scientific and pedagogical schools, providing substantive training for different types of libraries; active vocational work, aimed at involving professors and students in St. Petersburg’s professional community library life; research activities of faculty members and students; project work; volunteer activities; international activities, organization of “BiblioFest” Student Festival and other student initiatives.

There are discussed the amendments, made in 2016, to the legal deposit system in the Russian Federation by the Federal law “On Amendments to the Federal Law ‘On the Legal Deposit of Documents’” of 3 July, 2016 No. 278-FZ. These amendments introduce the new kind of Legal Deposit - “E-Legal Deposit”. The article presents the definition contained in the new Federal law “copy of publication in electronic format”. It is noted, how and where the new form of legal deposit of documents will be delivered, where it will be stored and on what terms the libraries will be able to provide users with legal deposit in electronic form. There are also described the changes regarding dissertations, which now according to the system of legal deposit of documents will be delivered in electronic form to the Russian State Library and to the Central Scientific Medical Library of I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.

The current methodological support of ethno-cultural activities of public libraries is analyzed. There are described its main areas: publication of methodological materials and organization of the scientific conferences and seminars. There is characterized the formed theoretical basis allowing to determine the further ways of the development of ethno-cultural activities. The contemporary regional schools of library and ethnic research are presented. There is revealed the value of libraries ethno-cultural activities in the context of the main documents of the national and cultural policy of the Russian Federation: “The Basic Principles of State Cultural Policy”, “Strategy of State National Policy up to 2025”, “The Concept of State Policy on Migration up to 2025”. The attention is paid to the role of libraries as informational, cultural and educational centres in the process of integration and adaptation of migrants. The regional libraries best practices (Perm, Nizhny Tagil) aimed at migrants cultural and speech adaptation are described. The definition of a modern public library as the centre of inter-ethnic and inter-cultural interaction is embodied in the Model Standard of the Public library activities. The characteristics of multicultural composition of population of the Russian Federation and the specific features of its service are presented.

There are considered the results of the research of themes of publications on theory and practice of the librarianship in the domestic periodicals as the basis for study of the development trends in the national librarianship. For the analysis of the topics of publications on librarianship and library science the authors used scientometric and bibliometric methods. The key words were used for the material to identify the general trends in the development of library science and practice. The authors determine the topical themes of publications of ten domestic scientific and practical journals for every fifth year during the period of 20 years from 1995 to 2015. In the study there were identified the themes that are developed consistently and are found throughout the studied period, identified the problems prevailing in the certain time intervals, as well as the new directions emerging at each step. The change of themes of publications is primarily connected with the external conditions of library activities and tasks, put before them by the society. In general, the use of keywords for the analysis of themes of publications as a research method has the positive features (full coverage of publications from the selected sources without reference to the identity of author), and negative side (content analysis of the key words only, not full text of articles).

At present, the bibliography at the international level is mainly regulated by the IFLA - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. The article examines and compares the main development trends of bibliographic activities abroad, regulated by the IFLA Bibliography Section, and in Russia. The attention is focused on the organizational and technological problems of Russian biblio-graphy, primarily, the current national and retrospective bibliography, as well as the problems of bibliographic description and recording of electronic network resources.

The article analyzes the role of Google Book Search, the largest corporate repository of infor-mation with the subordinate function of pay wall, in the development of new institutional paradigm of e-libraries. It is noted the negative reaction of foreign library community to the functioning of the IT-giant book service as an attempt of monopolizing the access to intellectual heritage. It is described the public benefit concept, triggering the formation of new electronic archives. The article examines the alternative experience of formation and functioning of some foreign digital libraries: HathiTrust Digital Library, Europeana, Digital Public Library of America, Internet Archive, - putting forward the priority of non-commercial access to databases. Attention is paid to the history and basic structural parameters of the emerging electronic collections. The article analyzes the dynamics of relationship of the new digital libraries with Google book service - from active cooperation in digiti-zation programs to opposition against information monopoly practice, and then to sporadic cooperation in the framework of special projects, promoting new format of providing information services. Attention is focused on the development of new principles of collective cooperation of digital libraries abroad in the process of building infrastructure of the information society.

Thematic resources presented on the websites of libraries in the format of databases, bibliographic indexes, and collections of digital libraries, are examined in the context of the description of stra-tegies aimed at the preservation of social and cultural role of libraries in the contemporary regional space. It is analyzed how the traditional components of library work, primarily generation of the own resources, relate to the priorities of the digital era. It is studied the relationship between the central position of the local history problems on the websites of the regional libraries and the desire of each library to create its unique image in the network environment. There are discussed difficulties of combining functionality and attractiveness in provision of resources, successful models of use of new technology opportunities for the enrichment of content, as well as search examples of socially important forms of data accumulation.

The largest part of the private library of Simon Azaryin, prominent church writer of the 17th century, is kept in the Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library. There are two manuscripts (F. 173. Collection of the Moscow Theological Academy) which include Menologies compiled by Simon. Both MDA books are collections of writings and extracts of Saints’ Lives, chronicles, etc, and there is a Menology with memories of only the Russian Saints. Simon Azaryin’s Menologies is the prominent monument of the time of “Collecting the Russian Sainthood”. The list of Saints in Simon’s Menologies includes a part organized in calendar order and a part with the data on Saints, for whom the date of memory is unknown. The Menologies contain several rare and unique memories. Data on disciples of St. Sergius of Radonezh texture a separate part of the Menology (for some of them it is a unique, and, possibly, legendary evidence).

The article is based on the author’s comparative analysis of the illustrations of incunabula with the plays of Terence and iconography, which may be considered the finished scenography of these plays. For the first time there are published illustrations - wood-cut engravings of the books of the 15th century from the Collection of Foreign Early Printed Books of the Department of Rare Books of the Russian State Library. Among them there are books of the displaced cultural valuables received by the library after the World War II, for example, the book from the collection by Baron Victor von Klemperer (1876-1943) (Saxon Land Library, Dresden). The article deals with the early printed books - German, French and Italian editions. The author first points out in Terence incunabula the scenographic character of illustrations, which are given as theatrical scenes, where one engraving shows all dramatic characters by grouping individual episodes. The author gives comparison of the engravings of different editions of Terence and marks the influence of German edition of 1496 of the printer Gruninger for the next editions of the plays. There is addressed the influence of Martin Schongauer works on the engravings of the incunabula. It is noted the technique of using composite boards in wood-cut engravings that helped to vary the images. Engravings are presented as a stage - often they are framed with boards on the sides with the images of houses or the landscape, i. e., the text of the plays is provided with the ready-made scenography.

The detailed overview of the professional events held in the framework of the 29th Moscow International Book Exhibition-Fair is provided. There are presented views and opinions of the well-known leaders of book publishing on its development trends. The results of the competitions “Book of the Year” and “Best Professional Book of the Year” are summarized. There are described the international component and specifics of the 29th MIBF: the distinguished guests, special cinematic program, zoning of the working space of the exhibition pavilion and VDNKh area, and introduction of media technologies. Special attention is paid to the coverage of the Round Table “The Art of Literary Diplomacy. Russian Literature on the way to the Foreign Reader”, which is an important step towards the international cooperation in the field of the translated literature and positioning of Russian authors abroad. Significant professional event was the workshop venue on creation of the unified sectoral calendar of book events, dates and activities, which would allow coordinating the largest joint book and library projects.

It is important to emphasize the professionals who contributed to the collecting, study and introducing into scientific use the editions of the Department of rare books of the V.I. Lenin State Library of the USSR (GBL, nowadays - the Russian State Library). Successful work of the Department from 1935 to 1949 was largely attributed to its Head - Nikolay Osipovich Kutchmenko. He worked in GBL from March 15, 1935 as chief librarian of the Department of rare and early printed books, performing the duties of Head of the Department, from July 15, 1935 - Head of the Department of rare books; from the end of June, 1941 also headed the Department of manuscripts, and from March 3, 1949 he was chief librarian of the Department of rare books. He was released from work in GBL on October 25, 1954. Under the leadership of N.O. Kutchmenko the collections of the Department were prepared to move to new premises; he conducted competent personnel policy in the Department; there were held exhibitions (including the war years). On his initiative were organized various publications of research studies of the employees of GBL Department of rare books, there was published “Inventory of Incunabula” (1939), and were prepared editions of A.F. Korostin “Beginning of Lithography in Russia” (1943) and A.S. Zernovaya “Beginning of Book Printing in Moscow and Ukraine” (1947). He led evacuation of the Department collections in 1941, and in 1944 - re-evacuation of book collections with check of state of collections composition, allocation in collections, and preparation for use. N.O. Kutchmenko showed himself as knowledgeable person, great organizer, able to work with people.

The article describes the work of L.N. Petrova in the Department of Rare Books of the Russian State Library. There is presented the creative heritage of L.N. Petrova, one of the leading experts in the field of work with the rare books and book monuments in the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st century.

The history of the development and current state of the conservation services in the Regional Universal Scientific Library of Nizhny Novgorod (hereinafter - RUSLNN) is discussed. The author outlines the major milestones of the development of conservation services: from bookbindery, created in 1935, to the Regional centre of conservation. The main priority of the conservation services throughout its long history is ensuring of preservation of valuable and rare documents. RUSLNN holdings consist of more than 4 million items, contain significant amount of valuable and rare documents and literary monuments. The questions of preservation of library collections in RUSLNN are always especially acute, same as the problem of insufficient space for their allocation. Currently, the collections are placed in three buildings, two of which are monuments. The article highlights the problems of preservation of valuable and rare books collections resolved by the Library in different periods: in the 1920s - early 1930s, when at acquisition of the book collections from the disbanded libraries the collection principle was not always respected: parts of the libraries of institutions and private collections were dispersed to the Regional Library holdings: in the years of shortage of space, the restoration and repair works, in the conditions of moving of collections. It is analyzed the experience of Library on organizing the registeration of preservation and use of literary monuments; interaction of structural divisions on maintaining the preservation of book monuments, RUSLNN participation in the Federal Targeted Program “Culture of Russia” (sections of the program: “Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage” and “Preservation of Library Collections”) and in implementation of the regional programs. On December 20, 2013 in the Law of Nizhny Novgorod Region No. 173-3 were introduced the changes formalised the status of RUSLNN as the Regional Centre for work with book monuments and Regional Centre for conservation of library collections. Separate direction of work of the Regional Centre for work with book monuments is consultancy and methodological support of libraries of the region, regardless of their departmental subordination, including visits to districts for the purpose of examination of storage facilities and providing consultations. Further development of the Regional Centre for conservation of library collections involves strengthening of staff potential, documentation support of all technological processes and providing clear interaction with the collection holders of the region.

In the period of 1960-ies and 1970-ies the key direction of state policy in the area of development of library system of the country was libraries centralization. In the article on the basis of archival sources and publications was disclosed the process of centralization of the network of public mass libraries in Volgograd region during that period. Volgograd Region in 1967 became the place of experiment on centralization. Based on study of the archival documents it is given the description of experiment on centralization in the Kamyshin town. There are presented the main results. On the basis of analysis of the documentary material there was revealed that the process of centralization of the library system in Volgograd region was completed by 1980. There were analyzed and described the characteristic features of centralization process in Volgograd region. Centralization influenced the structure of the library network, organization of libraries activities and ensured their availability to practically entire population of the Volgograd region. Centralization of the library system resulted in considerable qualitative changes, presented in the article. There are analyzed positive and negative features of centralization. Despite the negative results, the centralization had undeniable advantages, thanks to which the libraries could have reached the new level of development. Identified and justified the need for centralization of library network. Largely centralization had success in the system of libraries of the Ministry of Culture of the USSR. Unification of libraries of the Volgograd region on the principles of centralization has enabled improvement of libraries management. There is shown the importance of state policy in the process of centralization of libraries.

The article describes the international and Russian polyethnic library practices in the context of the development of new librarianship branches. The article aimed at introducing the professional reader with the results of study of the features of libraries activities worldwide, in Russia and in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with the representatives of various ethnic groups. The objectives of world libraries activities in the multicultural space are: promotion of dialogue of cultures and ethno-cultural interaction in multinational state, support for cultural and linguistic diversity. Libraries use international guidelines, modern legislative and regulatory framework in the Russian Federation and the CIS countries. For the successful development of libraries activities in the Russian and CIS multinational and multilingual cultural environment there shall be formed the conceptual foundations of libraries multi-ethnic activities, developed ethno-cultural library cooperation, strengthened positions of the Russian language as language of international communication in Russia and the CIS, of Russian and national cultures. Strengthening of scientific and methodical works of the national and regional libraries, of the organizational, methodical and scientific role of the professional associations, of the international and regional scientific conferences, meetings and seminars, as well as the close cooperation of libraries with state and intergovernmental management of culture and national policy, civil society entities (fraternities, societies, councils, etc.) are needed for the implementation of libraries multi-ethnic activities. Research studies have initiated the development of new branches of library science - Biblioethnology and Library Political Science.

The article presents a phased transition of higher professional education in Russia in the field of library and information activities to the multi-level system at the example of Master Degree Program. It is given informative and competence analysis of the developed new educational standards. There are considered the modules of mandatory (basic) subjects, disciplines of variable part and elective courses, included in the current competence-oriented curriculum of the principal educational program in the field of library and information activities, implemented in the Moscow State Institute of Culture. It is underlined the relevance of profiling and individual trajectory of Master training in the field of “Library and Information Activities”. There are described in detail the innovations of the modernized Federal State Educational Standard of Higher Education of the Third Generation (FGOS VO 3+) in the field of Discipline No. 51.04.06 “Library and Information Activities”. There are presented the immediate prospects of the transition to the updated versions of the educational standards (FGOS VO 3++), taking into account the requirements of the professional standard of Specialist in the field of library and information activities and continuity of competences at various levels of higher education.