What associations do we have with the word “library”? Endless book racks, strict employees who constantly call for silence, the need to return the book in time. The modern library has long gone beyond these perceptions. Especially when it comes to Russian children's libraries. What do young readers offer today?
Modern children's libraries
The first public library for children opened in Moscow in 1878 and consisted of approximately one and a half thousand books.
In the 21st century, a library is not just a book depository, it is a real cultural center. Here you can not only read a lot of interesting things, but also visit exhibitions and concerts, take part in master classes, work out in thematic circles, play games, listen to lectures and much more. Most of these events are free.
Books are presented by thousands of publications in Russian and foreign languages of different times and genres: art, popular science, educational, rare publications and novelties of the book market. Experienced staff will help young readers choose a book to their liking. The undisputed leader in the volume of the book collection is the Russian Children's Library in Moscow.
Readers can use electronic collections of digitized publications, video and audio materials, as well as order books at home.
Developing and creative classes are held in most famous libraries. It can be English language studios, children's theaters, chess clubs, literary circles.
Games and communication opportunities will be provided by cultural workers. Game rooms for the little ones, quests, quizzes, intellectual board games - for older children. If you wish, you can become a member of a club or a poetic society.
Libraries often invite writers and artists whose work can be found in their walls. It hosts exhibitions, meetings, shows.
Library network
Currently, there is a wide network of Russian children's libraries. Young readers from different subjects can use the services of more than 3.5 thousand specialized institutions for children and youth. At the same time, 30 thousand adult libraries have departments for children and adolescents.
In this area, there is a hierarchy of its own. At the top of the list is certainly the Russian Central Children's Library, which has federal status. There are also institutions for children:
- regional central (regional, republican, regional);
- municipal;
- structural units (departments and branches) of other library systems.
The tasks of central libraries go far beyond acquaintance with book publications. They are also considered as centers for monitoring, research, coordination of activities of organizations related to the popularization of children's reading.
Russian State Children's Library
Today it is one of the largest libraries not only in Russia, but also in the world. It was opened in Moscow almost 50 years ago by order of the Minister of Culture. At the end of the 80s. of the last century, a monumental building was built for the library on a special project near the Oktyabrskaya metro station. Address of the institution: Kaluga Square, 1, building 1.
The library is open from 10:00 to 20:00 daily, except for one day, when the reception hours of visitors are slightly reduced. On Sunday, the institution opens at 11:00 and closes at 17:00.
Workers note that among the reading rooms of the library there are general and specialized ones. The latter include: an Internet center, a music library, an art hall, a fairy tale room, a foreign literature room, a Pushkin room, a family reading room, a music lounge, and a psychological counseling room. There are also lounges, an assembly hall and a special exhibition space.
The library is a member of a number of associations and the International Council for Children and Youth Literature.
Library departments
The structure of the Russian children's library on Oktyabrskaya includes:
- special reading rooms for preschoolers and primary school students, as well as students in grades 5-11, students;
- Hall of Foreign Literature (in the original language);
- music and music room;
- scientific and methodological department;
- Department of project activities and cultural programs;
- resource center (scientific and bibliographic);
- Department of Creative Development of Library Readers;
- Training Center;
- Department of Psychology, Sociology and Pedagogy of Reading;
- consulting department of bibliography.
All units are active. For example, the tasks of the department of creative development include the organization of interactive cognitive classes, game leisure for children and parents. Also, employees of this unit conduct exciting tours of the library, acquainting readers with its secrets and opportunities.
The Department of Cultural Programs organizes conferences, seminars, thematic and personal exhibitions, musical, literary and creative evenings, book presentations.
Library funds
At the moment, the collection of the Russian State Children's Library in Moscow contains more than 500 thousand book publications, magazines, newspapers, music collections, film and photo materials, rare books and illustrated albums.
Here you can see unique editions autographed by famous children's writers (A. Lindgren, E. Uspensky, Yu. Koval, K. Bulychev and many others), as well as find books in more than 50 languages of the world. The library selects archival materials and rare editions for thematic exhibitions. Funds are regularly replenished.
A separate place is occupied by a large-scale fund of electronic resources, which includes about 10 thousand digitized publications and video materials.
Another significant collection is a collection of high-resolution filmstrips.
Electronic Russian National Children's Library
This is a very young structural unit of the state library, which is as much as possible in line with the modern rhythm of the life of digital society. The project was launched in 2012.
The collection began to be created by digitizing rare and old editions from the library, then materials from the pre-revolutionary and Soviet periodicals of the Russian State and State Public Historical Libraries were added to it. Currently, the electronic collection contains publications from the largest Russian libraries and private collections. There are books of the 18th and 19th centuries. Total volume - more than 16.5 thousand storage units.
The electronic library contains copyrighted materials and publications with free access. The latter can be studied, downloaded in PDF format. To view the protected registration is required (free). Some publications are available only within the internal network of the children's library. Entrance is carried out on the official website or through the page of the Russian State Children's Library. Materials are grouped by type and subject.
Clubs, studios and events
One of the most important areas of activity of the Russian State Children's Library of Moscow is various clubs, clubs, and studios aimed at the comprehensive development of children of different ages.
For preschoolers, there are literary and reader development studios, educational circles, school preparation programs (including psychological), an English speaking club, and an environmental travel game club.
For older children (6-12 years), in addition to clubs and studios of literary reading, foreign languages and general development, (more than 10) the doors of scientific societies, creative studios and boardroom rooms are open.
Teenagers can show their abilities in the classroom:
- in the literary laboratory;
- in the club “In the footsteps of great travelers”;
- in the "Art Education Studio";
- in a philosophical club;
- in the training center "Territory of communication".
Children's Library named after A.S. Pushkin in St. Petersburg
Large and well-known children's libraries are certainly not only in the capital. These include the Central Children's Library in St. Petersburg. It is located in the very heart of the northern capital, on Bolshaya Morskaya Street, 33.
The fund of this representative of the network of Russian children's libraries has more than 500 thousand storage units (print media and electronic materials). Here are publications of the 19th - early 20th centuries, works of foreign and domestic classics. The pearl of the collection is the library of world children's literature (100 volumes), World literature (200 volumes).
Of particular pride is the reading room of the rare book, which includes more than 3, 000 publications, including the first edition of Ruslan and Ludmila in 1821, the lifetime edition of the tragedy Boris Godunov, and a number of rare editions of the works of A. L. Barto, S. I Marshak and many other writers.
The library opens its doors to visitors at 10 a.m. every day. The work of the institution ends on Sundays at 18:00, and on other days you can stay here until 20:00.
