National libraries: 196th anniversary of the Imperial Public library

13 January 2010
Source: the National library of Russia

The Imperial Public Library, today the National Library of Russia was opened for its readers in St. – Petersburg in January 1814. The National Library of Russia keeps the tradition of holding functions dedicated to this momentous event.

The scholar readings “Documents of history: the first national photographs collection” will take place on February, 14 2010 at 11 a.m. in the conference hall of the NLR main building (18, Sadovaya St.). The first photographs appeared in the Imperial Public Library in 1856 thus started the country’s largest photo collection — the most valuable source of visual information and the new type of the visual arts.

The readings’ program includes the following reports:

Ye. V. Barhatova, Candidate of Art History, NLR department curator “Documents of history: the first national photographs collection”;

O. S. Ostroy, Doctor of Pedagogy, leading NLR scientist “Photographs of the Imperial Public Library’s interiors”;

A. V. Yartseva, senior NLR librarian “Travels with a photographer: Orthodox churches of the Russian Empire on photos of V. D. Mashukov”;

The participants of the readings are going to see the most precious exhibits of the NLR collection.

At 2 p.m. the Korf hall and the hall of information and electronic resources will be opened after the restoration in the main NLR Rossi building.

On this very day at 4 p.m. the library will organize a traditional meeting of the NLR’s friends and celebration in honour of library’s donors in the new building of the NLR (165, Moskovsky pr.).

Later at 5 p.m. the book exhibition dedicated to 300th birthday anniversary of the first Russian academician M. V. Lomonosov will take place in the library.

The unique materials of XVIII c. housed in the NLR’s funds will provide a wonderful chance to become absorbed by the great epoch of flourishing and reformations in Russia, the time when M. V. Lomonosov worked. The heritage of the Russian academician is truly great. Among the exhibits are scientist’s lifetime books, his works, manuscripts, maps, and autographs.

This exhibition dedicated to the jubilee of M. V. Lomonosov, which will be celebrated throughout Russia in 2011, has been organized by the National Library of Russia with a support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.