Libraries and Society: The Russian Government approved the Implementation Plan of the Library Science Development Strategy in the Russian Federation until 2030

The website of the Government of the Russian Federation released the Implementation Plan of the Library Science Development Strategy in the Russian Federation until 2030, approved by Mikhail Mishustin, the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

The Implementation Plan of the Library Science Development Strategy in the Russian Federation spotlights such issues as the preservation and improvement of book collections, distribution of broadband Internet to libraries and employment of young specialists.

The plan features activities until 2030. By this time, it intends to modernize the entire library system of the country - federal, municipal, departmental, scientific and specialized libraries. In particular, it proposes the creation of digital platforms for the joint work of libraries and the unification of library, archival and museum information resources into a single digital space. This activity demands the equipment of libraries with the latest software systems and access to high-speed Internet. Also, the plan includes the increasing of federal support for regional centres in the field of preserving rare books.

Advanced professional training of employees and the employment of new specialists would also foster the industry's development. It requires the launch of new programs of additional education and advanced professional training; the development of the targeted training mechanisms; the creation of a monitoring system of employment in the library sector; and the development of measures to attract young specialists to the profession. Besides, it intends to return the position of a methodologist to the staffing specifications of libraries and form a unified information system for methodological support.

The Government approved the Library Science Development Strategy in the Russian Federation in March 2021. It aims to create conditions for the sustainable development of all Russian libraries and ensure access to their resources for everyone. This activity is part of the Cultural Environment and Digital Culture federal projects, included in the Culture national project.