The article is devoted to the comprehensive study of the professional information needs (IN) of specialists of the central libraries of the subjects of the Russian Federation. The rapid development of high technologies in the field of accumulation, transmission and processing of information, the creation of modern telecommunications systems have led to the emergence of fundamentally new opportunities for organizing the information process. This, in turn, led to the qualitative growth of IN specialists, including those employed in the field of library activities. The specific features of IN library specialists are determined by their place and role in the modern process of cultural activity, industry orientation, nature of work and specialization. During 2018—2019, the Centre for Research of Problems of the Development of Libraries in the Information Society of the Russian State Library carried out research aimed at comprehensive study of the information needs of cultural workers employed in the library sphere. At the first stage of the research, there was comprehended the existing experience of studying professional information needs in the national library science. At the second stage, using the method of questionnaire survey, information needs of library specialists were studied in order to identify the most rational forms and methods of providing them. The analysis of the survey results made it possible to identify the sources of professional information, to reveal information resources that have the greatest importance and characterize specific features of librarians’ information needs.

The author concludes on the need to expand the access to full-text databases and electronic versions of periodicals for library staff. The creation of integrated information centre could help providing library professionals with professional information. Currently, the function of such a centre is performed by the National Electronic Library, which includes the professional section for library specialists. The results of the study form theoretical and methodological basis for the rational use of resources and potential of libraries in providing information to professional information needs of library specialists and determine the prospects for further research related to improving the forms and methods of information service for this category of users.

Hebrew incunabula amount to a rather modest, in terms of number, group of around 150 editions that were printed within the period from the late 60s of the 15th century to January 1, 1501 in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Turkey. Despite such a small number of Hebrew incunabula, the role they played in the history of the formation of European printing cannot be overlooked. Even less possible is to overestimate the importance of Hebrew incunabula for understanding Jewish spiritual life as it evolved in Europe during the Renaissance.

Russian depositories house 43 editions of Hebrew incunabula, in 113 copies and fragments. The latter are distributed as following: the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences — 67 items stored; the Russian State Library — 38 items; the National Library of Russia — 7 items; the Jewish Religious Community of Saint Petersburg — 1 item. The majority of these books came in public depositories at the late 19th — first half of the 20th century from private collections of St. Petersburg collectors: Moses Friedland (1826—1899), Daniel Chwolson (1819—1911) and David Günzburg (1857—1910). This article looks into the circumstances of how exactly these incunabula were acquired by the depositories. For the first time there are analysed publications of Russian scholars that either include descriptions of Hebrew incunabula (inventories, catalogues, lists) or related to various aspects of Hebrew incunabula studies. The article presents the first annotated bibliography of all domestic publications that are in any way connected with Hebrew incunabula, covering the period from 1893 (the first publication) to the present. In private collections, there was paid special attention to the formation of incunabula collections. It was expressed in the allocation of incunabula as a separate group of books in printed catalogues and the publication of research works on incunabula studies, which belonged to the pen of collectors themselves and haven’t lost their scientific relevance today.

M.N. Kolesnikova’s monograph “Ahead of Time. To the 100th Anniversary of the Institute of Book Studies (Petrograd-Leningrad, 1920—1933)”, published in 2020, is a valuable contribution to the history of book science, library science, bibliography science, the general history of Russian culture and a fascinating textbook for students of library, information and media cultural school. The history of the Institute of Book Studies is a vivid illustration of the relationship between the totalitarian power and the creative intelligentsia. The monograph, which contains detailed biographical information about the employees of the Institute of Book Studies, can be called a reference book of library science and book science elite of Leningrad in the 1920s. All the classic problems of bibliography science, library science and book science were in the field of view of the staff of the Institute of Book Studies. Considering the constructive program of activities and the strong team of enthusiasts, the Institute could have grown into a truly research institution if the overall development of the country had gone differently.

Based on the analysis of the scientific-research and educational activities of the Institute, it is concluded that it can be considered the birthplace of the Russian Bibliologos. Bibliologos is interpreted in two ways: first, as a social group of intellectuals-book lovers who ensure the functioning of the national bibliosphere; second, as a universe of bibliological knowledge embodied in book form as a result of scientific, pedagogical and practical activities of intellectuals-book lovers. The author highlights that it is necessary to preserve the memory of the Leningrad Institute of Book Studies, which served as the “cradle of the Russian Bibliologos” in the history of book culture.

Printed Blank Forms are poorly studied historical sources. They were published in almost every printing house, often in large editions; however, due to the specifics of the purpose, they were poorly preserved. Many of the printed editions have not reached our days. You can learn about their existence from archival documents. A number of editions are known in a single copy. The Research Department of Rare Books (Book Museum) of the Russian State Library has two Printed Blank Forms. These are the Certificates of Ordination from the Bishop of Pinsk and Turov, George Bulgak. These are the only known copies of the editions. They were issued to priest Vasily Shemetil on July 15, 1759 in Pinsk and stamped with the Episcopal seal. They came from the Vilnius Public Library. Due to the small number of complex studies of such sources, the article provides the detailed description of them, reveals the content at the level of the edition (printed blank form) and the copy (handwritten text); for the first time there is undertaken publication of the texts of the certificates. Moreover, the authors consider the actual problems of the bibliographic description of these publications: different bibliographers (F.N. Dobryansky, A.I. Milovidov, G.Y. Golenchenko, Y.A. Labyntsev) described and attributed these editions differently (Mogilev and Suprasl were mentioned as the place of publication). Being unique sources, they attracted attention of bibliographers, but were not used at all by historians and other researchers of book culture. The authors come to the conclusion that the attribution of the publication of letters in the printing house of the Annunciation Monastery in Suprasl, proposed by Y.A. Labyntsev, looks the most convincing today. The study emphasizes the importance of the considered documents that are the only known examples of printed Greek Catholic Certificates of Ordination of the 18th century. Since the life and activity of Georgy Bulgak himself, who became the Archimandrite of the Annunciation Monastery in Suprasl, remains practically unexplored in Russian historiography, the article presents his biography, focuses on this period of his activity and his great contribution to the development of book publishing in the monastery printing house, which printed books in Slavic, Polish and Latin languages.

The study of the history of librarianship is an urgent task of modern historical and library research. Its solution is possible if a large number of historical sources are identified and analysed. One of them is the pre-revolutionary journal “Librarian”, which differs from other periodicals of that time by its high informative content on the topic. Due to the lack of comprehensive studies of the “Librarian” journal as a historical source, this article for the first time considers this pre-revolutionary professional periodical as a source for studying the history of librarianship in Siberia and the Far East of the pre-revolutionary period. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the informative potential of the “Librarian” journal, which is useful for the reconstruction of the history of librarianship in Siberia and the Far East.

The methodological basis of the research is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity and consistency. The article uses the methods of source studies, comparative and content analysis.

The obtained results show that the journal “Librarian” is an important source for studying the history of librarianship in the Siberian-Far Eastern region. It contains numerous interesting facts about the libraries of the region, their structure and functioning, allows us to identify the sources of their financing and quantitative indicators of work, trace their dynamics, replenish the regional bibliography of special literature and restore the names of benefactors, Siberians and Far Easterners — members of the Society of Library Science.

This study fully reveals the informative potential of this periodical, expands the idea of periodicals as important historical sources for the study of the history of librarianship of the country as a whole and its various regions. It can be useful in conducting specific historical studies of librarianship of the country of the pre-revolutionary period.

An important stage in the study and attribution of the Russian binding of the 18th — early 20th century is the description of the flyleaf and other elements of decorative paper. First of all, this applies to paper with marble drawings (marble paper), found in the Russian book since the 18th century. Modern researchers of Russian binding of the 18th — early 20th centuries face a number of problems related to the lack of literature on the topic, including methodological and reference, the lack of specialized collections and exhibitions of decorative paper in Russia and the lack of development in the domestic book science of the terminology for describing the binding materials. This article substantiates the need to create the nomenclature of drawings and link them to a certain chronological period. The author analyses three main groups of problems: terminological, systematization of marble drawings and their chronological correlation, problems of describing paper as a material. The first group includes different interpretations of term and unclear definition of many terms; phenomena of synonymy and polysemy when using particular names of drawings (patterns). Not only historians of the book, but also librarians, restorers, masters of individual binding, second-hand booksellers and bibliophiles have their own independently formed professional dictionary, which gives place to decorative papers. This inconsistency is reinforced by borrowing French, German and English terms, which, in turn, can also be duplicated. The author notes that systematization of decorative papers with marble drawings can be based on the methods of its colouring, but such a technological approach is not sufficient to describe a specific sample of marble paper. The article shows that various patterns periodically gained and lost popularity, then returned to bookbinding practice, but with a number of characteristic changes and additions. Correct description of the paper in binding is impossible without determining its origin (Russian/foreign), the method of production and colouring (manual/machine) and the specific properties of the material itself. At the same time, there are no methods and schemes for describing decorative paper grades. The article highlights that the development of such method will help to significantly narrow the chronological framework when attributing the binding.

Integration of information and communication technology platforms is one of the incentives for the development of Digital Humanities (DH) projects abroad in their increasingly close interaction with academic, primarily University libraries. The purpose of the article is to analyze the deepening interaction of libraries with DH projects within the single digital paradigm, as well as to analyze new services for project management, data curation, organization of online publications, preservation and exchange of databases, etc. In the era of digital convergence, large scientific libraries abroad are actively developing new models of cooperation with DH projects, forming special service packages for continuous servicing of scientists on the basis of the integrated approach.

The article discusses the new concept of library services for DH projects, draws attention to the problem of classification and ranking of library services in order to streamline the work and improve its efficiency, describes the existing multi-level service models developed in the library systems of the major US Universities. In the context of formation of the new package of library services within the framework of DH projects, the article considers the new practices and operational models on which they are based. The author describes the experience of University libraries in the Netherlands and Canada. Under the innovation pressure in the field of library technologies, the service package offered by scientific libraries in developed countries is constantly expanding and modernizing. It includes not only digitization of printed materials, computer assistance, but also management of databases, preservation and exchange of scientific data, organization of digital publications, consultations in the field of copyright protection, etc. Development of new practices in the field of digital services management changes the organizational paradigm of library work, puts forward new standards of professional activity, which require continuous training to meet, i.e. launches an institutional rebranding of the library.

Based on the current scientific understanding regarding COVID-19, this article presents the results of new studies (Tests 4, 5, 6), conducted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), in partnership with Battelle. The purpose of the experiments is to determine how long frequently circulated library, museum and archival materials should be quarantined before being put back into public circulation.

Each test has been conducted by applying the virulent SARS-CoV-2 virus on various materials held at standard room temperature and relative humidity conditions, and then examining the rate of natural attenuation of the virus. The items were not sterilized before testing. Battelle propagated the clinical isolate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in-house, followed by characterization and testing to establish a certified titer. The materials in Test 4 included binding and cover items placed in a stacked configuration to imitate the common practice that libraries employ when handling book/DVD returns, as well as expanded polyethylene foam, which is typically used in museums for storage and shipping. Test 5 focused on textiles, while Test 6 included building materials (glass, marble, brass, laminate, and powder-coated steel). Test coupons cut from the materials were inoculated with active virus, and then allowed to dry. The test coupons were then examined at the following timepoints: on the second, third, fourth and sixth day (Test 4); on the second, fourth, sixth and eighth day (Tests 5 and 6). The results of the tests showed how much virus was detectable at the selected timepoints. In Test 4, the virus was still detected on all the five materials after six days. In Test 5, the virus was still detected on leather and synthetic leather publication after eight days. In Test 6, the virus was not detected on the tested materials after six days.

This publication is provided for informational purposes only, and readers are encouraged to review federal, regional, 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.

Volunteering is actively developing in the Russian Federation and around the world. Society that takes part in volunteer projects has a high level of civic identity, morality and forms humanistic values among young people. Volunteer movement is a tool to reduce the level of antisocial and extremist behaviour.

Approximately 15% of the population of the Russian Federation is involved in volunteering activities at the present time. Thanks to the volunteer organizations created in educational institutions, the government creates positive image of a volunteer. At the same time, there is a problem of public distrust in this type of activity due to the lack of awareness of volunteer organizations and their projects. Organizers of the volunteer movement face the problem of lack of information about volunteering that entails the difficulties in setting goals and objectives of the volunteer organization. It is necessary to identify the information needs of volunteers, as well as to create an information field where they can meet these needs.

There is no resource with comprehensive information about volunteering activity in Russia. Information needs of participants in such type of projects cannot be fully met. The main source of information is the portal “Volunteers of Russia”. It allows you to get e-book of a volunteer, register a volunteer organization, create an event and apply for participation in an existing project. However, the system has a number of factors that make it difficult to keep accurate records of volunteer activities; it is more designed to attract attention to projects.

In 2018—2019, the study was conducted using the online survey (questionnaire). The survey involved volunteers (451 respondents) and their leaders (43 respondents) of the St. Petersburg Volunteer Movement “Our Future is in Our Hands”. The purpose of the study was to identify the information needs of volunteers and their managers. The survey results led to the conclusions: the availability of information resources on volunteering is not too high; the most interesting information is related to the experience of implementing volunteer activities, project development and management, the development of supra-professional skills. Volunteers prefer to use electronic documents.

It is necessary to develop special programs and organize training courses on the formation of information culture of volunteers, to create a wider range of information resources for volunteers. One of the possibilities is to create a unified public resource that reflects different aspects of volunteering activities. It is important to form a comprehensive information support for volunteers.

Requirements to Information and Articles