Libraries of Russia: Rarest and priceless editions go digital in Kamchatka

Pursuing a goal of popularization and propaganda of cultural heritage of indigenous smaller peoples of the North, including measures aimed at preservation and development of literature in their languages, in the first quarter of 2011 the S.P. Krasheninnikov Kamchatka Regional Universal Scientific Library will set up a “Local History” (Russian “Kraevedenie”) Department which will provide the service to patrons-representatives of indigenous smaller peoples of the North.

During 2011 the regional scientific library will digitize rare and priceless editions of library holdings, including those in native languages of indigenous peoples of the North.

What is more, in order to develop the local lore line in 2011 the library will launch events targeted at development and support of culture of indigenous peoples of the North: the Twenty-Eighth Krasheninnikov readings focused on 300th birthday anniversary of S.P. Krasheninnikov, one of the pioneers of Kamchatka exploration; the Fifth International Historical and Saint Innocent Readings, dedicated to 270th anniversary of the launch of the Pacific Ocean Exploration by the Russians; meetings of the Krasheninnikov society that will center around memorial dates in the history of Kamchatka.

As for now the library offers a collection of editions in national languages of indigenous smaller peoples of the North. The collection numbers 122 books, booklets, issued in languages of peoples of the North living in Kamchatka krai. 70 editions out of them are in the Koryak language, 10 – in the Even language, 42 – in the Itelmen language.