Until the mid-19th century, the merchant Samara was a city with an extremely low literacy rate. Everything has changed since the opening of the public library in 1860. Today the SOUNB fund comprises more than 4.4 million printed documents and 176 thousand electronic ones. The Samara Regional Library is the largest cultural center of the region, which is one of the most important book depositories of the Russian Federation.
A bit of history
The opening of the Samara Regional Scientific Library is connected with the name of Governor Konstantin Grot. It was he who ordered the city government to choose a room for a public reading room. In 1854, Ivan Nefedov, a retired staff captain, donated about 200 volumes from the personal archive to the city. For a long time they were stored in the building of the noble assembly, while the publication of the Provincial Gazette did not have a room where people could gather to read periodicals. In parallel, new literature was being collected.
On January 1, 1860, the Samara Regional Library was officially opened. Its funds totaled more than 800 copies of books in Russian and foreign languages, periodicals from the capital of the Russian Empire.
The heyday of librarianship began after the end of the Civil War. This is due to the formation of a bibliographic, musical and methodological department. Since 1932, mandatory copies of all periodicals of the USSR began to come to the foundation's fund, and the library received regional status.
Modern building
Since 1939, the Samara regional library has been huddled in the building of the Palace of Culture, built on V. Kuibyshev Square, a photo of which can be seen just above. Currently, it houses the Opera and Ballet Theater.
In the 60s, local authorities began the construction of an independent building, allocating a plot for this on Glory Square. But he was soon transferred to the House of Soviets. They decided to place the library on Lenin Avenue, which was built up with huge quarter-length buildings. Between two eight-story residential buildings, a place was determined for the future library.
The architect Andrei Gozak had a difficult task - to distinguish the institution from the environment. He used the techniques of the Finnish master Alvaro Aalto, finishing the facade with dark blue ceramics, which contrasts well with the neighboring buildings. Art Nouveau style made it possible to combine three cubic volumes - a book depository and two reading rooms. The construction took almost two decades and was completed in 1986, turning into one of the long-term construction projects of the Soviet period.
Two cases
Where is the regional library of Samara today? Prospekt Lenina, 14 A, is the address of the main building of the institution. But he is not the only one. The subscriber department is located on the street. Michurina, house 58. The Central Archive (TsGASO) is located here, as well as the book depository, where users can receive printed and musical publications at home.
During the World Cup 2018 on the basis of the main building, there was a press center for the media that did not receive official accreditation, so all the work of the library was carried out on the basis of building No. 2.
How to get there
It is most convenient for visitors to the library to get to Lenin Avenue, 14 A by metro. Not so long ago, the Alabinskaya station was opened, one of the exits of which leads to the main building.
A tram line also runs along the avenue, and bus routes Nos. 23, 50, 47, 297 and 206 are laid along Novo-Sadovaya Street. It is necessary to get off at the Osipenko stop and proceed towards Lenin Ave.
Seven tram routes pass through the "Heroes' Square of the 21st Army", where the regional library of Samara is located. Among them, Nos. 23, 20K, 20, 22, 18, 4, 5.
Building No. 2 can also be reached by tram routes No. 3, 15, 18. The name of the stop is “Clinical”. By trolleybus No. 4 or No. 15 you should get off at the Aquarium shopping center, which is located opposite the library. Buses Nos. 67, 46, 41, 34, 24, 22, 1 stop here.
Schedule
Citizens are already accustomed that the opening hours of the institution depend on the season. There is winter and summer time. The latter is valid for two months - July and August. The day off remains unchanged - it's Monday. In the winter season, on Tuesday and Sunday, the library operates on an abbreviated schedule - from 10:00 to 18:00, and on the remaining days of the week until 20:00.
In summer, another day off is added - Sunday, and working hours from Tuesday to Saturday are shifted by one hour. The institution closes at 19:00, and starts working at 9:00.
Often one of the cultural centers of the region is called the regional library. Lenin. Indeed, Samara has given many objects the name of the leader of the proletariat, who for some time lived and worked in the Samara province. But since 1991, it has not been in the official name. Assigned in 1968 (then Samara was Kuibyshev), the name of Vladimir Ilyich for the library did not take root. Local lore experts dream that SOUNB should be connected with its first patron - the governor Konstantin Grot.
Visitors reviews
In addition to the official site, the former regional library named after Lenin (Samara) is presented on VKontakte, where a detailed calendar of events is published. In the structure of the institution, the department of arts, local history, legal and patent-technical information has proved its worth. They hold mass events gathering a huge audience of Samara intelligentsia, students and reading enthusiasts.
On the second floor of the main building there is a multifunctional hall, where photo-literary exhibitions work. One of the latter is dedicated to Russian ballet. For lovers of this art form, the film “Anyuta” by A. Belinsky is shown, where V. Vasiliev acted as the dance director.
Visitors note the great work carried out by the staff on the development of literary and artistic creativity. The organization of the All-Russian festival of dramatists, prose writers and poets, which bears the name of Mikhail Anishchenko, has become traditional for the library. For the sixth time, its opening will take place in October 2018.
More than 3,500 site subscribers leave their feedback on the work. Most are exclusively positive, but there are also complaints. They relate to the online service, which the library purposefully develops. Failures occur, sometimes the electronic catalog does not open or difficulties arise when working with the "Periodic Online" database. The administration is committed to timely troubleshooting.
Users also note the convenience associated with the fact that young owners of a subscription to the UNSUB (you can sign up from the age of 14) can use the book fund of youth and children's libraries. We will tell you more about them.
Youth Library
The Samara Regional Youth Library (SOYUB) serves readers under the age of 25 and is also located on 14, Lenin Ave. In the winter period, from Tuesday to Friday, its doors are open from 10:00 to 21:00. On the remaining days, the institution operates in the SOUNB mode. The main youth library of the region has been leading the history since 1973 and is actively promoting its services in the information space.
Today it is one of the most popular youth centers, which is prestigious, fashionable and interesting to visit. Visitor services are automated, and free Wi-Fi helps attract users seeking to expand the territory of communication. Members of the AIESEC international student organization, volunteers and many interest clubs hold their meetings here. A favorable environment has been created for visiting the library for people with limited mobility.
Children's library
And what is offered to young citizens of the Samara region? Where is the regional children's library located? Samara took care of these visitors. At the address st. Nevskaya, house 8 is an institution for small users. Even a preschooler can register here, but this must be done in the presence of one of the parents. From only 14 years old, a teenager has the right to receive a single subscription on his own.
For convenience, the official website has an electronic catalog with more than 122 thousand items. Every year, the fund grows by 7.5 thousand copies of books or periodicals. A true library exclusive is the book museum, where you can find volumes autographed by prominent writers. Also presented here are ancient publications, giant books, baby books and copies made in theatrical style.
How to get to the institution
The street where the Samara Regional Children's Library is located is Nevskaya, house 8. It crosses one of the central highways of the city - ul. Novo-Sadovaya. Located in close proximity to the SWOND, which is very convenient for the townspeople. The institution is easily accessible from three public transport stops: "Heroes' Square of the 21st Army" (buses No. 2, 11, 92; trams No. 23, 22, 20K, 20, 18, 5, 4); Osipenko (buses nos. 50, 47, 23; minibuses nos. 297, 206); "Pervomayskaya" (buses No. 11, 61, minibuses No. 261, 247).
It should be noted that in the children's department the days off from SWOND do not coincide. The doors of the institution are closed on Saturday-Sunday, and working hours end at 18:00. On some days in the summer, the children's cultural center closes at 19:00.
Children's Library Reviews
The Samara Regional Scientific Library and children's institutions not only have a single subscription, but are also closely connected with each other through joint activities. This continuity is noted by most users. They give a rating of 4.5 to 5 points and praise the rich fund, the friendliness of the staff and the excellent cultural program, which makes it possible to call children's libraries a real center of knowledge.
Many good reviews appear after holding various promotions and public events. Regular guests of the institutions are students of the Institute of Culture, organizing theatrical performances, balls and even quests.
The fact that the events keep up to date is also noted by the city guests. Also, visitors are grateful for the good service: in the reading rooms of the libraries it is very convenient to write essays and do creative work. During the break, you can use the cafeteria.