The purpose of the study is to understand the mission of national library in the system of national security of Russia. The author formulates definition of national security basing on the analysis of state concepts and doctrines of national security. The national library is conceived as a humanistic resource of national security, which is protected from information wars. The author considers the components of national security: the nation at the level of individual, society and state; national values in the form of demographic stability, cultural heritage, favourable environment; hazards — hostile phenomena detrimental to the nation; types of security — the types of activities necessary to overcome external and internal hazards; resources — social institutions that ensure the integrity and sustainable development of the nation. The paper proposes definition of bibliosphere as a super-system (system of systems), carrying out production, preservation, use and further development of the national book communication. The components of bibliosphere are: professionally specialized social institutions (publishing, printing industry, book trade, librarianship, bibliography); bibliophile social and cultural movement; commercial and non-profit associations; government authorities and censorship, etc. Considering the doctrine of information security, the author notes that bibliosphere is not an element of information sphere and an object of information security. Culture is presented as a key factor in national security. The paper characterizes the dilemma of militarization and humanization of society in the post-industrial era and emphasizes the urgency of formation of moral and creative individual. The author grounds the new understanding of social mission of the national library.

The article considers technology of augmented reality (AR) — the imposition of digital data on real objects in real time. The aim of the article is to analyse the modification of forms and methods of library work under the influence of active implementation of AR-technology. The author notes that the interactive potential of augmented reality interfaces is increasingly being used abroad for navigation within libraries, search for necessary literature in book depositories, for tracking the movement of books and providing users with extended textual and audio-visual information.

The article discusses various forms of application of AR-technologies in library practice abroad: supplementing exhibitions and expositions with audio-visual and textual information; use of QR (Quick response) codes and RFID (Radio frequency identification) tags to facilitate access to online information, development of computer games for orientation in the library space, modernization of management of library collections, etc. The author describes the use of radio-frequency tags with special elements (RFID station) for personalized assistance to readers, optimization of social relations, so familiar to modern readers who are able to specify their location, leave a message to friends or staff, etc. Such a wide application of AR-technology in the library makes it a fragment of a “smart city”, convenient intellectual environment with a light transition membrane from offline to online.

Among library mobile applications as the fastest growing sphere of library services providing online access to catalogue, databases, interlibrary lending, chat rooms, SMS services, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. accounts, the share of AR applications using QR codes and RFID tags is constantly growing. The use of augmented reality devices in libraries opens up new horizons in terms of introduction of modern methods of informatization of knowledge and user services, adequate to the era of comprehensive computerization, the ubiquitous “Internet of things”.

This study expands the understanding of rare books — witnesses of the events of the World War II.

The initial stage of formation of the library collections of Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IOC RAS, Department of the Library for Natural Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences) occurred in the 1940s. Acquisition sources of literature were very diverse, so the collections contain books from the libraries of various institutions of the Russian Empire and the USSR. Among foreign publications, there are monographs and periodicals from the displaced collections of libraries of the German industrial organizations and educational institutions, received after the Great Patriotic War. Monographs of the library of the German Chemical Society were returned to the GDR in 1956. Books of industrial companies “Vereinigte Stahlwerke”, “Deutsches Kalisyndikat Bucherei”, “Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik Arthur Krupp A.G.”, “I.G. Farbenindustrie” and other are hitherto stored in the library holdings of IOC RAS. I.G. Farbenindustrie was the largest German chemical concern; it had its own laboratories for carrying out scientific research. Many famous chemists, including four Nobel laureates, worked there. The concern collaborated with the Nazi regime, developing artificial fuel, synthetic rubber, toxic substances. It had its own factories (Werk Auschwitz) and concentration camp in Auschwitz. The laboratories conducted chemical studies, and prisoners were involved in it. Providing scientific work with literature was an important component, so the laboratories had their own libraries. After the end of the War, most of the books probably remained on the territory of the plant, which was given to Poland. On its basis, the scientific and technical library of the laboratory was formed there, which later became part of the Chemical Institute. Some of the books from the Werk Auschwitz library got to the USSR, and some of them were transferred to the library of IOC RAS.

This article for the first time considers the collections of IOC RAS from the point of view of the field-specific literature published before 1945. Copies with marks of domestic and foreign organizations, personal signs and autographs of scientists are especially valuable. These books can be attributed to the book monuments of the World War II. Thus, one of the most important tasks of the library now is to preserve and study them.

At present, when the majority of users in search for information excessively turn to the Internet as a primary data source, the problem of reliability of the obtained data is particularly acute. Libraries, whose main function is to store and provide access to information existing both in print and electronic forms, traditionally tend to maintain the exceptional level of completeness and validity of the data and sources provided. One of the ways to achieve such reliability is interaction of libraries with scientists in the field of data systematization, verification, storage and access providing. The article analyses the scientific work of the outstanding Russian historian P.A. Zaionchkovskij in the V.I. Lenin State Library of the USSR (now — the Russian State Library, RSL) and considers his scientific cooperaction with the Library for several decades as a successful example of library-scientists’ partnership. In 1944—1952, he served as the Head of the Department of manuscripts of the V.I. Lenin State Library. Under his supervision, the accounting of the Department’s stock was reorganized, preservation of the existing and newly acquired collections was ensured; the user access of researches to the information on the collections’ content and composition was significantly improved; the unique team of scientific personnel was formed. The article gives thorough overview of the scientific and publication activity of the Department during that period. The authors also review the contribution of P.A. Zaionchkovskij to the development of the problem of bibliographic providing for historical science. In the 1960s — 1980s, under his scientific supervision, the bibliographic staff of the V.I. Lenin State Library of the USSR and other major Russian libraries prepared the unique publications — “Reference Books on the History of Pre-revolutionary Russia” and multivolume annotated Index “The History of Pre-revolutionary Russia in Diaries and Memoirs”. P.A. Zaionchkovskij laid the foundation for the lasting many years and still developing project on creation of retrospective scientific auxiliary indices of memoir literature. The partnership of P.A. Zaionchkovskij and the V.I. Lenin State Library is an excellent example of the successful and fruitful interaction of scientists and library staff.

The article is devoted to the 90th birth anniversary of E.A. Fenelonov, the prominent figure of library construction, scientist-librarian and the Honored worker of culture of the RSFSR. The authors present his biographical data, data on the most important stages of his life and activity: study at the Moscow State Library Institute, postgraduate study, defence of the dissertation thesis “Organization of library service for rural population”, leadership of the newly organized library of the Lipetsk region; work as the Head of Department (then Division) of libraries of the Ministry of Culture of RSFSR, the Head of the Main information-computing centre for culture and arts of the Ministry of Culture of RSFSR, the Deputy Director for scientific and methodical work of the V.I. Lenin State Library of the USSR (nowadays — the Russian State Library, RSL), the research scientist in the Research Department of the RSL. The paper describes the general characteristic features of his administrative activity and scientific creativity. The authors emphasize his role in the centralization of the library network, creation of depository libraries, introduction of open access and computers in the librarianship, participation in the development of the “Regulations on Librarianship in the USSR” (1984), the laws “On Librarianship”, “On the Legal Deposit Copy of Documents”, etc. The paper considers the main works of E.A. Fenelonov, dedicated to the management of librarianship, comprehensive planning of library construction, economic efficiency of libraries, organization of the library network, library zoning, activities of the centralized library systems, methodical work of libraries. The authors reveal the personality of E.A. Fenelonov as organizer, manager, scientist and person.

The article examines the conditions, tasks and main trends of the libraries in the Stalingrad region in the post-war period (1945 — early 1950s). Materials of periodicals and local history publications, as well as reporting materials related to the work of libraries in the specified period serve as a sourse base for the study.

In the context of the revival of Stalingrad and the Stalingrad region, the priorities for the state and society were those aimed at restoring the socio-economic potential and the cultural sector. The author emphasizes that, in this development vector, an important aspect of the activities of cultural institutions was organization of leisure activities for children and youth.

Libraries of the region were among the first cultural organizations that began to open their doors after the battle of Stalingrad and the end of the Great Patriotic War, so they had to carry out extensive political, mass, cultural and educational work for the population, including children and youth.

In the wake of the devastation of the entire socio-cultural sphere and infrastructure of the city and the region, the poor resource base of educational and cultural institutions, it was important to create conditions for adaptation to peaceful circumstances, to counteract child homelessness, to unite the creative forces of young people and to increase their cultural and educational level. Urban and rural libraries, reading rooms and libraries at clubs become actively involved in solving socially significant problems through various forms, methods and means of organizing children’s and youth leisure and recreation.

For the first time in a long time, libraries began to organize holidays and recitals, open readings of fiction for schoolchildren, and meetings with visiting and local cultural figures for young people. The important place in the leisure of young people was given to self-education and improving the culture of reading, that emphasized the special importance of the library as a centre of knowledge and a model of preservation of cultural norms.

The author concludes that libraries have played a major role in the organization of leisure of children and youth, and their activities served as an important auxiliary resource of party cells and public organizations to restore the entire cultural sector of the city and region.

Getting acquainted with the experience of library and information services in foreign libraries is an important component of professional development. Organization of library activities in libraries of the United States, introduction and use of advanced innovative technologies in all areas of their work is of particular interest to specialists. User access to library resources and services is provided through library card in its usual physical form and its electronic and biometric counterparts. If we call library a “door to knowledge,” then library card seems to be a “key” to this door. The article considers the experience of registering new readers, regulation of user access to library resources in US public libraries, the opportunities that open up to holders of library card; the risks that libraries are exposed to in the event of unauthorized use of library card. The author emphasizes that presence of a library card is not mandatory for library visitors, but it provides access to a full range of library and information services. In addition, the holders of library card receive additional privileges. In particular, they have free access to historical and cultural centres, memorials, botanical gardens and museums. The article also discusses the issues of modernization of library cards in modern society and their use in future. The author comes to the conclusion about the continuing evolution of library card, during which not only its appearance changes, but also expands the range of functions performed by it. At the same time, library card continues to preserve its main mission of the “pass to the world of knowledge”.

Social media has become a valuable tool that has helped connect, facilitate, discover, and encourage the use of the Library of Congress’s collections and content. The Library has cultivated trust and approachability as both a collector and user of social media. The Library of Congress has been using social media both as a collector and a user to execute its mission. Authors describe the use of social media in both of these roles beginning with the Library as a collector. The vision, as stated in the Library’s strategic plan, is that all Americans are connected to the Library. Different channels of social media have allowed the Library to extend that connection into discovery and use of the Library’s vast online collections and engage audiences in ways that are more approachable and immediate. As a result, the institution is more accessible than ever before.

The article considers the long-term practice in the area of ethical and communicative education of students of the Department of library-information resources of the East Siberian State Institute of Culture. The purpose of the work is to summarize the experience in formation and development of ethical and communicative competence of students. The authors describe the method of teaching the discipline “Ethics of library communication” and consider specific features of lectures and practical classes. The article characterizes the methods of work with full-time and part-time students, students of retraining and professional development programs at the example of use of interactive innovative technologies. The authors analyse the practice-oriented tasks aimed at diagnostics of various communicative and ethical characteristics of students and present the results of surveys of students of different forms of education about their culture of communication. The article describes the experience of using cases in the course of discipline study and the development of students’ draft codes of ethics of librarian and reader. The authors emphasize the importance of using a Cartesian rectangular coordinates system and drawing up a “Contract with the own Adult” for self-education of student, development of his critical thinking, ability to analyse and creative approach in library and information activities. The article raises the problems of verbal and nonverbal communication in the training of future specialists, as well as gives recommendations on the use of mind maps in the formation of librarian-communicator. The authors determine the importance of business game “Business etiquette” for the formation of pedagogical skills of students. The article underlines the necessity of development of ethical and communicative competences not only in the course of training sessions, but also through the involvement of students in scientific activities, in particular, when writing course and graduate qualification works. The authors analyse execution method and content of the work devoted to the topic “Netiquette. Network etiquette” and present the results of the student research conducted among the trainees in universities of the Republic of Buryatia.

The article presents an overview of the activities of the All-Russian Library Congress — the 24th Annual Conference of the Russian Library Association (RLA), which was held on May 11—17, 2019 in Tula, the Library Capital of Russia in 2019. The theme of the Congress is “Concept of Development and Strategic Objectives of Librarianship in Russia”. The authors note the expansion of international participation in the Congress’ 2019, the increase of the number of special and training events, the increasing integration and interaction of various sections of the RBA.

The Congress approved the main provisions of the draft Concept of librarianship development in Russia, adopted the RLA Manifesto “Library is the Humanistic Stronghold of the Nation” and approved the draft revision of supplemented “Manual of Library Services for Children in Russia”.

The authors consider the events of the Congress — two plenary sessions, section meetings, School of Acquisitions Librarian, School of Library Blogger, which became the place for discussions on a wide range of questions, the 20th Exhibition of publishing products, new information technologies, goods and services, as well as about 530 reports. The article emphasizes the importance of participation of libraries in the “Culture” National project and the role of the Program on modernization of municipal libraries. The Congress discussed the legal framework of library work; project activities; digital environment of libraries; social partnership with institutions of culture, education and tourism; issues of standardization, etc. The article highlights the election of Vice-presidents and Board members of the RLA, as well as presents the procedural decisions taken: on the establishment of the RBA Foundation, on the need to develop draft professional standards for the leading directions of library activities, etc.

The purpose of the article is understanding of the place and role of the Russian State Library — the National library of the country — in the development of book industry as an active participant in the modern exhibition process of the event-related nature, including the “Red Square” book festival, held this year for the fifth time.

The Russian State Library has the capability not only to present its own publishing products at the festival fair, revealing its rich collections, but also to position itself as an active subject of communication, stimulating the book market and giving the publishing business the meaning and values of socio-cultural activity.

The book festival, which took place on June 1—6, 2019 in the centre of Moscow, dictates certain formats for presenting the versatile activities of the Library and reveals its strong project focus. Based on the material of major professional branch events of the Russian State Library (RSL) within the framework of the “Red Square” book festival and a number of publications of periodicals, the article considers the project development trends of the RSL related to the implementation of the “Culture” National Project 2019—2024. The author highlights the new trends in book publishing, distribution of publishing products and development of library projects, as well as considers the essential characteristics and outlines the main stages of work of departmental projects on modernization of municipal regional libraries and National Electronic Library (NEL).

The joint strong discussion of at first glance purely library projects in the publishing environment expands the library-information space, creates grounds for the formation of multi-level communications and corrects approaches to resolving the problems.