The purpose of this article is to identify organizational problems of conducting scientific research work (R&D) by the regional libraries and the possibility of applying the experience of national libraries in the organization of science, taking into account the requirements for scientific research institutions. The article analyzes the legal and organizational grounds for conducting scientific research work by libraries and the experience of national libraries of Russia. The author indicates that the role of leading scientific institutions in the library sphere is assigned to the National Library of Russia and The Russian State Library.

The article presents comprehensive analysis of the state of research activities of the central libraries of the subjects of the Russian Federation (CL of RF subjects) on the basis of reflection of this work in the normative legal acts of regional level, governing library operations, and in the regulations of the libraries. Specialized scientific research divisions are studied based on the action plans, public reports, etc. Conducting scientific research in library is one of the determinative types of library activities. The results of studies of central libraries are recognized both at the regional and federal levels and proved by the winners of the All-Russian competition of scientific works on library science, bibliography and book science, the All-Russian competition “The best professional book of the year”, the All-Russian competition “Library analytics”, the All-Russian competition of library innovation and others.

The author notes that the identified scientific potential of the CL of the RF subjects is not fully used. The paper concludes that there is insufficient attention to this area of activity from federal authorities and libraries — to the methodical and coordination centres of federal level. The article outlines the prospects and directions for solving the issue of validity and significance of scientific research conducted by regional libraries. The author points out the need for methodological support by national libraries.

The goal of any library is to ensure high quality and general availability of information retrieval tools. The paper describes the project implemented by the Russian State Library (RSL) to present Library Bibliographic Classification as a Networked Knowledge Organization System. The project goal is to support content and provide tools for ensuring system’s interoperability with other resources of the same nature (i.e. with Linked Data Vocabularies) in the global network environment. The project was partially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR).

The RSL General Classified Catalogue (GCC) was selected as the main data source for the Classification system of knowledge organization. The meaning of each classification number is expressed by complete string of wordings (captions), rather than the last level caption alone. Data converted to the Resource Description Framework (RDF) files based on the standard set of properties defined in the Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS) model was loaded into the semantic storage for subsequent data processing using the SPARQL query language. In order to enrich user queries for search of resources, the RSL has published its Classification System in the form of Linked Open Data (https://lod.rsl.ru) for searching in the RSL electronic catalogue. Currently, the work is underway to enable its smooth integration with other LOD vocabularies. The SKOS mapping tags are used to differentiate the types of connections between SKOS elements (concepts) existing in different concept schemes, for example, UDC, MeSH, authority data.

The conceptual schemes of the leading classifications are fundamentally different from each other. Establishing correspondence between concepts is possible only on the basis of lexical and structural analysis to compute the concept similarity as a combination of attributes.

The authors are looking forward to working with libraries in Russia and other countries to create a common space of Linked Open Data vocabularies.

Changing of media consumption in the digital age is the object of focus attention of both Russian and foreign researchers. Modern cultural studies note the increasing role of video content in the media environment. Taking into account current trends, libraries more often create their own video materials to implement various goals and objectives. Thus, creation of own video content is rapidly becoming an integral part of the work of modern library. However, despite some established experience of libraries in this area, there is still not enough research of general and theoretical nature on the content, guidelines and prospects for the development of activities related to the creation and use of library video content, and there is no its classification.

The purpose of this work is to conduct analysis of the video content in libraries, identify the most common materials, as well as to determine the prospects for using this tool to reach their own goals. The article discusses definitions of the term “video content”. The author presents the main types of videos produced by libraries, their characteristics and features. Special attention is paid to video projects of libraries in Russia. The article reveals the experience of the Astrakhan Library for Youth named after B. Shakhovsky in using its own video content. The paper discusses the issue of classification of video materials produced by libraries. The author proposes the following classification of library videos: video review, virtual book exhibition, webinar (online seminar or web conference), interview, humorous video, webcast, event announcement, video report and booktrailer. The author indicates the main reasons hindering the demand for library video content among the wide range of Internet users and gives the rationale for the necessity and importance of this type of activity and proposes possible prospects for using own video content of libraries. Thanks to its presence, the library ceases to be a closed institution storing knowledge within itself that produces positive impact on its image. Using means of communication that are understandable to a person of visual culture, it changes stereotypes and demonstrates its modern capabilities.

The article considers bibliography of study of Russian albums of the 19th — early 21th century. Development of Russian historiography of this topic was uneven. The author consistently describes three main stages in the study of handwritten album: response of contemporaries and public discussions of this phenomenon; the beginning of publication of album texts; introduction of albums to science. The article presents the main directions of academic research. The author considers domestic publications about Russian albums, starting from the first quarter of the 19th century through the beginning of the 21st century. The analysis of the literature on albums was carried out from the point of view of the author’s area of interests (study of the history of autograph albums, their typology and functions), the nature and scope of the objects studied, the main tasks of these works and their methodological principles. The main problem in historiography is development of typology of handwritten albums. The choice of typology as the main subject of analysis is explained by the fact that in general this phenomenon of Russian culture of the late 18th — first quarter of the 20th century was not studied systematically. The author notes that in order to create the full picture of Russian album culture, it is necessary, first of all, to build the typological system. The result of the author’s research is the complete review of publications on Russian handwritten albums published from 1820 to 2016. The author highlights the main typological principles of albums that are typical for different approaches, research schools and directions of study. The article notes that many issues have not been considered until the present moment. The approach to album as a source of history of individual writing and sociocultural behaviour is beyond the study, while the comprehensive analysis of Russian album, writing and signature in it is one of the promising directions of research of the culture of everyday life of the 18th — 20th centuries. The general conclusion of the article focuses on the absence of universal typology in historiography, which the author suggests to present in the following works.

The article analyzes the diary records of the outstanding Soviet physicist, Academician and President of the USSR Academy of Sciences Sergei Ivanovich Vavilov (1891—1951), dedicated to his reader’s perception of contemporary Soviet literature. Widely-read S.I. Vavilov collected his private library of 37 thousand volumes; he regularly visited bookstores, mainly antiquarian and second-hand bookshops. Despite the prevailing interest to the old books, S.I. Vavilov knew Soviet literature, used its images in his popular science works (S.A. Yesenin) and diary characteristics (I. Ilf and E. Petrov). The few diary entries with the assessments of the works of Soviet writers (A.N. Tolstoy, A.E. Korneychuk, K.I. Chukovsky, A. Bely, A.K. Vinogradov, V.V. Veresaev, M.A. Bulgakov, etc.) most commonly demonstrate critical attitude to them. It was defined by both his classical aesthetic preferences, formed in his youth on the material of Russian literature of the 19th century, and by his unflattering attitude to the Soviet reality, which Academician did not show publicly, allowing just certain statements in his private diaries. The generally negative perception of Soviet literature indicates that, contrary to the claims of some researchers, S.I. Vavilov was not a Stalinist and was quite sceptical of the socialist reality.

The Russian State Library has made significant contribution to the development of Russian bibliographic thought, starting from the period of the Great Patriotic War (holding scientific conferences, defending PhD theses on bibliography topics by library employees). The major achievement is the development of problems of recommendatory bibliography: the works by B.A. Smirnova of the 1940s through 1960s, major collective studies conducted in 1967—1989 under supervision of the V.I. Lenin State Library of the USSR on the problems of “Effectiveness of recommendatory bibliography in reading guidance” and “Recommendatory bibliography as means of promoting books and reading guidance”. In 1976—1989, the sector of bibliography theory played the significant role in the development of Russian bibliography (since 1983 — the sector of general problems of theory, methodology and organization of bibliography). The release of the serial collection of scientific works “Voprosy bibliografovedeniya” [Questions of bibliography science] (1976—1990) was of great theoretical and organizing value. In the 1990s, when there were no divisions on bibliography science, a number of monographs and dissertations on bibliographic topics were created by individual Library employees. In the Scientific research department of bibliography, established in 1999, there was organized the bibliography science sector (existed until 2015), where famous bibliographic scholars V.A. Fokeev and B.A. Semenovker worked. Within the framework of the sector, G.L. Levin researched on the problems of the national bibliography of Russia. Studies in bibliography science were also created by the other employees of the Department (S.P. Bavin, A.V. Teplitskaya). In 2001, there were resumed publication of the collection “Voprosy bibliografovedeniya” and the activity of the Dissertation Council, where seven dissertations on bibliographic topics were defended by the RSL employees. At present, both researchers and bibliographers of the Scientific Research Department of Bibliography carry out scientific research in parallel with the compilation activities. The authors of bibliographic publications are also employees of other scientific and library divisions of the Russian State Library. Of great importance is the activity of the Scientific Research Department of Bibliography on the information support of bibliographic science, such as creation of indexes of bibliographic literature and bibliographic production of libraries.

The paper presents for the first time the analysis of the main aspects of multicultural library work in Russia and the Federal Republic of Germany, based on the data of questionnaire survey conducted by the author in the libraries of two countries. The author considers the terminology used by modern Russian and German libraries in the course of work with migrants. The paper gives definitions and shows the difference in approaches to the use of terms “intercultural library work”, “polycultural library service” and “multicultural library service”. The author reveals that both Russian and German libraries do not mostly maintain statistical records on migrant users. The paper compares the data indicating insufficient knowledge on the interests of readers with migration background. The author revealed institutions of different levels providing statistical data that use the libraries of two countries to analyze the ethnic groups living in the library service area and to clarify the demographic and social characteristics of individual migrant groups. The paper highlights the forms of upgrade qualifications for librarians involved in the development and provision of multicultural services. The survey shows that the important characteristic of German librarians who work with multicultural users is their belonging to a group of migrants. Based on the data obtained, the author concludes that work with migrants in Russia and Germany is mainly funded from the general budget of the library. The author identifies the sources of targeted funding for multicultural work in libraries, as well as the approximate size of the budget allocated for the acquisition of collections for migrants. The paper considers the forms of acquisition and criteria for selecting documents in the languages of migrants. The author presents the comparison of the main forms of mass work with migrants in the libraries of Russia and Germany, as well as identifies the activities that are not held in Russian libraries, but are of interest from the point of view of implementation in the domestic practice.

This document synthesizes various studies and data; however, the scientific understanding regarding COVID-19 is continuously evolving.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and OCLC are working in partnership with Battelle to create and distribute science-based information designed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to staff and visitors who are engaging in the delivery or use of museum, library, and archival services. This REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) project is studying how long the SARS CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19) survives on common materials and methods to mitigate exposure.

This material is being provided for informational purposes only, and readers are encouraged to review federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local guidance. The authors, sponsors, and researchers are not liable for any damages resulting from use, misuse, or reliance upon this information, or any errors or omissions herein.

Mastering of new professional practice-oriented competences by library specialists is necessary for achieving positive changes in the cultural space of civil society. The article reveals prerequisites for the development of competence and qualification training of specialists of domestic libraries, mechanisms for strengthening integration of the professional education system and library information sphere. The Federal project “Creative People” within the framework of the National project “Culture” (2019—2024) is considered as a new model of professional development, an indicator of innovative activity of library specialists and consolidation of professional library community. The article presents the additional professional training programs of Krasnodar State Institute of Culture which have been developed taking into account the current trends in the organization of library activities within the frames of the Federal project “Creative People”. Implementation of library’s mission as a socio-cultural institution of society is impossible without a specialist — subject of innovation, strategist and organizer in the field of project management of activity. From this perspective, there was developed additional professional educational program “Innovative project and grant activities of libraries” tailored to top managers, deputy managers, heads of sectors and departments and methodologists of libraries. The article presents the analysis of intermediate results of fulfilment of the program aimed at acquiring new professional competence in the field of development and management of innovative projects in library-information sphere and participation in grant competitions. The author reveals the content of the program modules: innovative development of modern library, technologies of innovative project activity of modern library, grant activity of libraries. The analysis of specific features of full-time and distance learning forms under the program “Innovative project and grant activities of libraries” allows the author to make conclusion about the degree of its implementation as an interactive discussion platform for specialists of libraries of the Russian Federation.

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