The concept of “Methodical activity in the field of libraries” is discussed. There is conducted the analysis of publications devoted to the topic. The attempt is made to identify the “generic cell”, a common feature, which separates the methodical phenomena from all others. In this capacity there is proposed the attribute “Impact on the methods of library activities”, there are made the examples of its use for the purpose of separating the methodical phenomena. There is determined the metasystem of methodical work, explained the use of the term “Scientific-methodical activity”. There is identified the specific feature of methodical activity in the library field, which, in contrast to the sphere of educational, cultural and other activities, consists in the dominance of system tasks and is not found so clearly in other areas. There is presented the analysis of the activity components, specified the subject, object, subject matter, goal, means, and result of methodical activities, and considered the groups of its functions. It is proved the mandatory presence of the management component in the methodical activities. There is proposed the definition “Scientific methodical activity in the field of libraries”. 

International scientific-practical conference “Rumyantsev Readings — 2017” devoted to the “500th Anniversary of the Edition of the first Slavonic Bible of Francysk Skaryna: Development of Book Printing Culture” was held in the Russian State Library (RSL) on 18—19 April, 2017. Organizers of the conference were the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the Russian State Library, the National Library of Belarus and the Library Assembly of Eurasia. In addition to the main topic there was considered the wide range of issues on theory and practice of the library science, bibliography science, bibliology, history of public depositories and private collections, important areas of the activity of modern libraries. There was held the plenary session of the Interregional Committee on Cataloguing the “New Stage of Development of the Russian and International Cataloguing”. There was organized the work of five Round Tables.

“Rumyantsev readings — 2017” helped to attract attention to the issues of preserving and studying the world cultural heritage and national values, issues of functioning of the libraries in the present historical phase, the search of ways of innovative development, enhanced cooperation between institutions of culture, education, science and intercultural interaction. It can be stated that the traditional annual conference of the Russian State Library today is one of the largest scientific-practical events on library topics on the territory of Russia and can rightfully claim the international status.

Introduction of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Library Regional Studies is an important task in building an open information society. The aim of this work is to determine the main development trends in the library local history studies using the ICT. Based on the analysis of materials of conferences organized by the Russian Library Association in the period 2009—2016, this work highlights the large group of scientific publications describing the process of introduction of ICT into the mainstream of local history library activities: formation of the collections of local history documents, creation and utilization of local history reference and search tools, reference-bibliographic and information services, formation of system of local history bibliographic products, distribution of local history knowledge, as well as methodical and research activities. There are revealed the main results of computerizing by libraries the processes of creating the local history information products and providing the local history user services: digitization of local history documents, creation of full-text resources of local history; providing the remote access to local history reference and search tools, development of corporate cataloguing; the growth in demand for virtual services and electronic delivery of documents; use of Web 2.0 technologies to promote local history knowledge; comprehensive representation of the unique local history information on the website or portal; creation of multimedia products, etc. Theoretical and methodical problems of implementing ICT in library local studies are identified. 

Involving free online resources in the library services improves the information support for users. The terms “free resources”, “open” are used for designation of free resources, which do not require financial compensation. In practice, however, Russian libraries have not yet developed a unified approach for understanding the terms “free resources”, “free access”, “open access”. ISO 5127 and ISO 2789 International Standards recommend including in the library’s collections these free Internet resources, which could be catalogued by the library in its online catalogue or some other library database. It’s necessary to define the groups of networked resources which the library can include in its collections, and those resources that are of interest to users, but couldn’t be included in the library stock. Organization of access to free resources shall be carried out in two ways: entering information about the resources in the library catalogue or other database and providing common search or the development of navigation tools based on the links grouped by any attribute on the library website. Processing of all kinds of free resources for users is part of the technological scheme of the network resources collection development and has various specific characteristics that affect the selection, registration, administration and management of the electronic resources. 

The activities of the libraries on creation of the electronic information resources for culture and art are considered. The study was conducted on the basis of search and selection of information on the resources on the websites of 15 federal libraries. There were revealed 23 online resources created by the Russian State Library, the Russian National Library, the Russian State Art Library, the Russian State Library for Young Adults, the Russian State Children’s Library, the Scientific Pedagogical Library named after K.D. Ushinsky, the State Public Historical Library and the Russian State Library for the Blind.

As a result of the research, it was revealed that the libraries currently to a greater extent provide information resources in traditional forms of presentation (card file, local database, printed publication), rather than in electronic form (remote open access resources). There prevail the resources of universal nature, including the resources for culture and art. Among the features there is noted the development of the new modern forms of presentation of resources in the form of virtual exhibitions, electronic collections, catalogues, that include digitized documents from library collections. Herewith, the documents are available both in the public domain and in the restricted access; and there is possible to acquaint with the document content in the reading rooms of libraries.

On the basis of monitoring of libraries’ websites, it is made the conclusion on the need of intensification of activities to create specialized thematic resources for culture and art with the aim of further development of information culture and support of the information literacy of users, as well as for the professional competence of specialists. 

There is analyzed the problem of theoretical understanding of the “Moskovian Poluustav” in the Russian historiography. This term began to be used by specialists in the area of Old Russian manuscripts sporadically yet in the first half of the 20th century, for example by V.N. Shchepkin, and was finally established through the influence of one of the most popular and authoritative textbooks on paleography by M.N. Tikhomirov. There are discussed the works of L.M. Kostyukhina, A.A. Turilov and M.G. Galchenko, which address theoretical issues of the evolution of Poluustav in the Old Russian manuscripts.

As a result of historiographical analysis, there is made conclusion on the absence of clear definition for the term “Moskovian poluustav” in the domestic palaeographic science. Recently the researchers, dedicated to the graphic-orthographic features of the Russian medieval script, as well as the authors of several textbooks and manuals on palaeography, try not to use this term at all.

In the opinion of the author, the most perspective approach to form this definition is to comparatively analyze correlation of the script graphics of the Old Russian manuscripts and the early printed book fonts of the middle of the 16th century. 

The analysis of the book by M.V. Seslavinsky “Russian Book Rarities of the 20th century: 333 Selected Books” (Moscow: Pashkov Dom, 2016. 381 p.) is presented in the context of a problem of allocation of rare books and book monuments as a special category of library collections. It is shown that M.V. Seslavinsky, basing on the best traditions of Russian bibliophile literature, suggests his own approach to the allocation of the book rarities, based on the combination of quantitative criteria and cultural significance, and also taking into consideration the interest to the edition in the modern antiquarian book market. Proposed by M.V. Seslavinsky list of book rarities, released mainly in the first third of the 20th century, reflects the system of values of the modern Russian bibliophile community, a prominent representative of which is the author of the reviewed book. The publication contains rich illustrative material and the author’s comments. The principles of the selection of rare books and the list of rarities by itself deserve special attention of experts working with book monuments, collectors and acquisitions librarians.

The 10 All-Russian Meeting of the Heads of Information Services for Culture and Art.

There is briefly outlined the life path of the famous library scientist I.P. Osipova, worked for over fifty years in the V.I. Lenin State Library of the USSR, then — the Russian State Library. There is presented characteristics of her organizational input and scientific contribution to the library science, in editing books and articles, and training of scientific personnel.

There is emphasized the diversity of scientific interests of I.P. Osipova related to the sociology of books and reading, organization of research work, the typology of national libraries, information provision of librarianship, regional library policy, methodical work, and library service to the industry and agriculture experts, etc.

Vladimir K. Klyuev — is an outstanding representative of the modern library intelligentsia, whose life is inseparably linked with the Moscow State Institute of Culture, where he covered an over 40-year path from student to Professor, and Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation. V.K. Klyuev is the initiator and author of the innovative University courses “Economics of library and information work”, “Marketing of library and information work”, “Library Law”, “Management of library and information work”. Since 2007 Professor V.K. Klyuev is the Head the Department of management of information and library activities. At the Department there was formed an authoritative scientific school; under only Klyuev’s supervision there were defended 10 PhD theses. V.K. Klyuev is the perennial Chairman of the Educational-Methodical Council of Russian Universities on education in the field of library and information activities; the developer of Federal educational discipline-specific standards of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs; the leading co-developer of the project of the Professional Standard of specialist of library and information work; the initiator and coordinator of the inter-University series of 13 basic textbooks on all core Bachelor courses. Such a large-scale scientific and pedagogical project the Russian library school never knew. Professor V.K. Klyuev is Vice-president of the “Library Science” Department of the International Informatization Academy (IIA) under the United Nations, Academician of the Academy of Management in Education and Culture, Member of the Russian Professorial Assembly, Full Member of the Guild of Experts in the field of Professional Education and many other public organizations. 

Depositing of the Unpublished Works of Authors.

The article is devoted to the analysis of interaction of the “Moskovsky Journal” (1791—1792), the first independent publishing project of N.M. Karamzin, with the readership. In the second year of publication, the magazine increased the number of subscribers by 12,5% that was the unique event in the history of Russian periodicals of the 18th century. Readership success was governed by the competent editorial strategy of N.M. Karamzin to promote the journal using both traditional and innovative approaches to attracting readers. On the basis of published lists of subscribers there are analyzed the social composition and geography of the readers. The study of the personal staff of the subscribers of the “Moskovsky Journal” shows that among them were a considerable number of readers related to Freemasonry and literary work. This fact allows us to raise the question on the adjustment of insight of the relationship between N.M. Karamzin and masons during that period. In any case, it is obvious that in realization of the publishing project N.M. Karamzin relied on the readership generated by the activities of N.I. Novikov in the preceding decade.

The Artillery Department had good organization and condition of libraries and librarianship. The Officers library of the Military assembly of the Leib Guard 1st artillery brigade may serve as an example. There is considered its activity in the second half of the 19th — early 20th century, there is also analyzed “Regulations on the Officers Assembly of the Leib Guard 1st Artillery Brigade” of 1893 and “Particular Rules of the Officers Assembly of the Leib Guard 1st Artillery Brigade” of 1903 and 1908 regarding the structure and activity of libraries.

Librarian was elected by the Officers society. There was a membership fee to the needs of library, as well as the lump-sum payment “For the library”. The decision to purchase the books to the library was taken by the Administrative Committee depending on the funds and the number of readers wishing to use the particular publications. The main catalogue was reissued in every 3—5 and then 7 years. All the new arrivals were amended to the supplement to the main directory. Books could be loaned from the library in the amount not exceeding six volumes, for 30 days period of use, and for 10 days if there were demands from other readers for these publications, and educational books — for 2 months. It was forbidden to make notes in the books. In the case of damage or loss of the edition the reader had to reimburse the full price of the book. In the summer the part of the library books was transported to the Krasnoselsky camp. The periodicals collection was constantly replenished.

The first catalogue of books was compiled by Staff Captain I.P. Gribunin, and then supplemented by Lieutenant N.M. Furman. N.M. Furman also prepared three additions to the main catalogue. In 1901, Staff Captain I.S. Veshnyakov reissued systematic catalogue of library books, containing 2577 titles, and prepared four additions to it. The duties of the head of library included the maintenance of catalogue; the Librarian was also responsible for all property, for establishing reporting and presenting proposals on the work of library. In 1908 there was published the systematic catalogue, which included 5771 titles. The Military assembly of brigade had also a museum. 

As the emerging nations of Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa achieved political independence, most of them attempted to create national library services that would, from a central headquarters located in the capital city, develop public libraries, first in the provinces or regions and then at district or branch level. This “national library service” model, which has been generally considered to be an “Anglo-American” import, has been widely condemned as one of the factors inhibiting public library development in Africa. From a historical perspective it offers an interesting example of colonial and post-colonial influence. Although the idea of the free public library is undoubtedly of Anglo-American origin, nation-wide public library structures have neither British nor US antecedents. Who, therefore, should be credited with, or blamed for, this idea? In this paper there is considered a number of “suspects”, with emphasis on the influences converging at, and radiating from, the 1953 Ibadan Seminar on the Development of Public Libraries in Africa, before concluding that the wide dissemination of the model in Anglophone Africa cannot be attributed to the influence of a few prominent library personalities, to the Seminar, or to the authority of UNESCO or IFLA alone. Rather, it must be seen in terms of pragmatic, albeit ideologically coloured, responses to the colonial situation, developed in the context of the decolonization process, the Cold War, and contemporary understandings of development. 

The article analyzes the development of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), an open distributed network of online resources intended to unite the intellectual heritage of the United States. Particular attention is paid to the development of the concept of national digital library as a unified platform of distributed resources. There is analyzed in detail the organizational strategy, underlying the DPLA development as a growing network of service centers (service hubs) and content centers (content hubs). Universal free access to the DPLA resources is provided by using universal open codes. As network library system that combines online geographically remote resources, DPLA is actively using the interactive potential of modern information and communication technologies, for example, geolocation service. The article analyzes the dynamics of DPLA development in the context of national and international cooperation in terms of further improvement of the new information paradigm of digital libraries. Interaction with other digital libraries, the new format of providing information services (in particular, the mobile version of the library website), free access to the presented collections and open codes, enabling the user to actively participate in the development of the resource — all this makes DPLA a full link of the electronic civilization. 

There is substantiated the need for updating the work of the modern domestic public libraries, transformation of their traditional functions and the priority user orientation. It is proved that the information-resource component of the library activities becomes equivalent to its socializing cultural-leisure and interpersonal communication functions. The complex character of modernization of the activity of public libraries with a view to increasing their relevance is considered. The analysis of the library’s competitive environment is presented (free virtual access to information, the book trade market relevant by content and presentation, a variety of event-related leisure, comfortable public places, etc.) and its possible advantages in specific, functional and price competition. There is emphasized the urgency of reorganization of the library space-formation of the comfortable barrier-free attractive user environment. The advocacy activity of the library is considered as the direction, aimed at formation of the loyal attitude of modern society to the library and perception of it. There are identified the key parameters for the successful activity of public library as a territory for the new opportunities — an information-knowledge and a socio-cultural center, an actual place for the positive personal development practices and knowledgeable leisure, an accessible public platform for the personal self-realization.

Educational Center for Postgraduate and Further Professional Development of Specialists.

The round-table meeting “Library Bibliographic Classification — the National Classification System of the Russian Federation” was held on April 19, 2017 in the Russian State Library in the framework of the International scientific-practical conference “Rumyantsev Readings — 2017” , devoted to the theme “500th Anniversary of the Edition of the first Slavonic Bible of Francysk Skaryna: Development of Book Printing Culture”. There were presented and discussed the reports on the history and the major activity areas of the Scientific-Research Center for the development of Library Bibliographic Classification (SRC LBC) in connection with its 50th anniversary of creation. 

In 2017 in Russia there are held celebrations on the occasion of the 80th birth anniversary of Valentin Grigorievich Rasputin, one of the most famous Russian writers. The Russian State Library (RSL) responded to that anniversary by several events, one of which was the book-illustrative exhibition “The Living Soul of Russia”, presented in the Blue Exhibition Hall of the Library. There is described the main structural principle of the exhibition, the materials stored in the main stock and specialized collections of the RSL, telling not only about the creative heritage of the great writer, but also about his biography, the life philosophy and social activities. 

The 6th All-Russian Review Competition of Libraries for the Best Electronic Publication on Culture and Arts.