Can you imagine a library holding over 7 million printed books and manuscripts? This is the M Gorky Scientific Library of St Petersburg University. It is not just a library. It is a monument to national enlightenment science and culture.
Today we explore the M Gorky Scientific Library. It is one of Russia’s oldest and largest university libraries. Its history began in 1783. Empress Catherine the Great donated 1100 volumes. These books came from Petr Zhukov’s collection. He was a Russian bibliophile. This donation established the First Teacher’s Seminary library.
Throughout its history the Scientific Library has grown. Private donations have greatly enriched its collection. Over 200 personal libraries are housed here. These belonged to university professors. They also belonged to prominent figures of Russian science and culture.
Consider the historical significance. The Scientific Library holds collections from the St Petersburg Censorship Committee. This includes 20000 volumes. There are also 10000 volumes from the Committee of Foreign Censorship. These collections arrived in the mid-19th century.
The library also acquired the archive and library of the Free Society of Lovers of Literature Science and the Arts. Another treasure is the library of Bestuzhev’s Higher Courses for Women. This was Russia’s first higher education institution for women.
The Scientific Library boasts a rare book collection. It contains 100000 volumes from the 15th to 20th centuries. This includes incunabula palaeotypes and books in Old Cyrillic script.
The oriental manuscripts collection is globally unrivaled. It holds over 50000 units. These collections make the library a unique resource for researchers. It is also a treasure trove for those interested in history.
Currently the M Gorky Scientific Library serves over 48000 regular readers. These include students postgraduate students professors lecturers and researchers. The library also provides services to international universities and individual researchers.
The library’s resources are vast. Over 82 million e-resources are available. These include journals monographs dissertations and guides. These resources support education and research at St Petersburg University.
The Scientific Library isn’t just a repository of books. It is a research and methodological center. It unites 62 libraries in the North-Western region of Russia. The library employs 235 people. They provide consulting assistance. They conduct seminars and conferences. They offer internships for librarians. They also conduct research in book science. Finally they prepare catalogs and bibliographic indexes.
Imagine the scholars who have walked these halls. Consider the knowledge contained within these walls. The M Gorky Scientific Library stands as a beacon of learning. It preserves Russia’s intellectual heritage. It fosters future generations of thinkers and researchers. Its collections continue to inspire. They educate all who enter its doors. The Scientific Library remains one of the best university libraries in Russia. It provides access to a world of knowledge.