blog RGDB.
Russian State Library for Children - The Sad Story of a scandal, or what we have - do not store.
In recent days, the media, both traditional and on blogs, growing scandal surrounding the assignment of the Russian State Children's Library On behalf of the. In. Mikhalkov. A growing number of people involved in the discussion of how unprincipled and mercenary librarians, especially the Director of the Institution, Mr.. A. Kislovskaya, just and dream of that to get from this action is unprecedented gains, while a small but principled team bravely fighting for the good name of your library, heroically passing in the media are going on in her.
At the same time in the course are the usual patterns: angry director, wordless majority profane the name of ... A. Kopeikin either wrote in his blog, or simply told the media that the director, with no one talking or even arranging a vote among the employees, said in an authoritarian style of the decision taken without any discussion with the staff of the decision: to submit to the Ministry of Culture of the documents . This could not perturb A. A. Kopeikin, who considered the only correct one, is not arguing in vain with the director, immediately write about what is happening in the nightmare of his blog, where, presumably (though unlikely), learned of this large edition, the news was picked up immediately. After that, many decent people are interested in this question, immediately condemned the library, despotism and folly of her superiors, appeasement and submissiveness of most employees ( not so brave and youthful, ardent, as a. A. Kopeikin ).
This is sad news continues to be replicated in the media, gathering all the new details, mainly reported by itself, so to speak, from the place of action, even if sometimes not entirely accurate, all the same brave. More and more gathering around the colors of the image director of T. A. Kislovskaya: she seldom consults with staff, and decisions are made by myself, and the words of the meetings does not give the right, just after the main speeches. And most importantly - wants to run on your own institution subordinated to it. This, no doubt, hard to move.
Looking at the issue more widely, it is surprising that such a scandal has arisen before. However, on this later. In the meantime, dear readers, please answer the question: Have you, your children and friends in a children's library? . How many times have you heard about the children's library in the media? . And it - almost literally - over the past twenty years, ... Moreover - in recent years over it more than once threatened with closure. And, incidentally, more than once saved the library is a children's writer with. In. Mikhalkov, for which many of our librarians are still grateful to him.
And now, it was worth one employee in the media to broadcast their views on the controversial decisions of our directors are people who are willing to undertake to condemn, criticize, ridicule, accuse and scoff at our ...
For decades, our library and other children's libraries serve children, doing a great job that requires a highly skilled and extremely low -paid. All see it as granted, for granted. And rightly so, since the institution of libraries is very important for our society. A special place is occupied in the children's library, along with the schools involved in the socialization of children and adolescents.
Russia's first children's library was opened back in 1878. Since then, the children's libraries play a vital role in introducing children to reading in the development of the child, raising the level of culture and education of citizens and, consequently, in the development and prosperity of society. In many developed countries around the world, institutions such as ours, are very much appreciated and are functioning well. Nevertheless, library professionals from around the world ( including from those countries ) come to us to look at our remaining from Soviet times, the system network of children's libraries across the country, headed by RGDB. And often they leave with the intention to bring our experiences with the organization of work at home.
Did you know that we not only give out books and magazines to readers? . You can read about the results of research conducted by experts RGDB, which analyzes in detail the status and role of children's libraries as a social institution in Europe, for example, in the UK, Norway, France, in Asian countries - Japan, Singapore, - in short, in developed and . The reports of experts RGDB provides information about the huge importance of children's reading and the role of libraries in its support, backed up by facts and figures obtained in the course of our studies and foreign. These materials, reports, statements, proposals were drawn up several times for the State Duma, Federation Council, the Ministry of Culture and other institutions.
For many years we are trying, citing his own experience and the experience of developed countries to show the authorities that the children's library is really of great importance for the development of the younger generation. Even now, when it would seem, in many ways they begin to replace the Internet, libraries in villages and small towns are often local readers only way to obtain books and periodicals. In addition, access to the Internet, by the way, is often performed for the poor citizens of our country is through computers in libraries (although it is not always there ). Moreover, the function of the preparation of information, lists of literature on topics requested by the user, performed in the remote access mode, remains the prerogative of libraries. Library service develops ... So, today visited sites RGDB a month, more than half a million users - children and adults.
At the same time, some of you are probably aware of, and an even greater number would not have any work to learn about the plight of children's libraries and librarians in this country. From librarians to demand high quality service, but no one wonders where they are, those who are usually poorer the most, unfortunately, vulnerable in our society of high professionals - doctors and teachers - take the money to ensure that quality. The answer is simple - almost out of nowhere. In addition to the small money from the state (at a minimum needs), we are working, like many in Russia, ...
This style of work is, of course, many drawbacks. The main - the inevitable aging workforce and break the continuity of generations. Most of our professionals are already at an advanced age, but young professionals hardly go to work in such low-budget sector. The absence of the necessary level of financing also leads to a gradual deterioration of the funds, material resources and, consequently, service quality, which, of course, is to disband the criticism and ideas of the ... There is probably no need to list all the disadvantages caused by the lack of an adequate amount of financing services, they are well known from the debate a similar situation with medicine and education.
Here we come to consider one of the major problems of our RGDB in particular, and libraries in Russia as a whole. It's simple - we like the ... Services used by many libraries, but few, especially in the media pays attention to us, although we regularly try to attract journalists to cover our work. It is useless - we usually have since there are no scandals!.
Libraries ... About the schools, the problems of their functioning and financing argue regularly about clinics and hospitals - also about theater, film, sometimes even on the scientific institutions, but not for the needs of libraries. Our guilt it is not. We are always trying to prove to the authorities of all levels, library networks need to support and develop, and invest in the library at least a minimum of means - the return on these investments is always incomparably great. But, alas, almost to no avail. Over the past two decades, our efforts led only to ensure that the libraries be closed to reduce the number. Many libraries have been merged - merged (eg, children with a junior ), reallocated, closed and continue to be closed. In the meantime, if people seek services provided by libraries in the commercial sector, they would spend the money several times more (research on this topic repeatedly conducted in the U.S. and the UK), in addition, many children do not have to .
Many countries have built new libraries for all categories of the population, but most importantly - for children. Specially created an environment where a child develops, which has everything: books, magazines, and multimedia and the Internet, and games and toys. Where such examples in our country?.
Perhaps not everyone knows that in the USA 100 % of the libraries connected to the Internet ( and about a third have wireless internet )? . And while their level of ... And librarians receive salaries, adequate level of their qualifications and salaries comparable to other professionals. Note that library services are almost always and everywhere available free of charge. Library is probably the most democratic social institution, and the level of library funding and to them we can judge how well developed democracy in the country.
We ask: when will the society and the media as the ...
Messages about libraries sometimes occur and blogs, between scandals and sharp pamphlets of various kinds. But who of bloggers invited to spend a large online campaign ... Does not necessarily have to thank - it's our job, we like it, we are used to select children's librarian profession. But very surprised and disappointed, when the country 's largest children's library celebrates 40 years ( it was recently, in December 2009. ), The network is not replete with compliments from readers ( past and present ), and no one was particularly interested in whether we have problems and no need for us to help. However, it should ignite a scandal - and immediately dozens of pages and hundreds of messages a barrage of criticism, a flurry of disapproving remarks.
Where were you when you need help RGDB? . You do not have enough funds to purchase computers for repair, for new projects... Reduced funding for the library, and next year its going to reduce by 40 %... will resist the library? . A library director Mr.. A. Kislovskaya a year seeking funds for new and unique project to digitize a collection of rare children's books from the collections of RGDB looking for, but did not find. And as we would like - for free! .
It turns out: you teach children, give them the best books, but with its problems sort it out themselves. Well, it is true to a certain extent. But then the answer to the question: what would you prefer - move to the outskirts of Moscow RGDB and offices in its place (which has already happened or is happening with a number of libraries), or RGDB On behalf of the. In. Mikhalkov with the same range of services that it has now?.
We appeal to bloggers: You might as well create an initiative group of the library and help on this topic could make noise in the web, how do you do now?.
As for the notorious renaming our director has chosen the second option. Yes, it is debatable. In his article in the Russian newspaper ... Therefore I propose to call the name of the library of children's books... and not hurt anyone ...
Well, this saying is the truth. Opportunities and potential RGDB can make it by the National Library of Children's Literature and National Children's Library. RGDB already performs almost all functions of an organization such as a scientific and methodological center and also one of the largest children's libraries in the world.
We can cite examples of noteworthy. In Kiev, worked for many years the National Library of Ukraine for Children. In France, a library for children titled ... became a branch of the National Library of France. In Italy, created a project and begin construction of the International Children's Library. In Japan in 2002. was opened by The International Library of Children's Literature ( as a branch of the National Diet Library of Japan). In South Korea in 2006. Seoul was opened National Library for children ( which is equipped with the latest technology and built on a special project ).
In Singapore, the government pursues a policy of support for reading of the younger generation. In the early 2000s he. plan was adopted, under which was built 100 new, superbly -equipped libraries for children and youth.
In Sweden - ... The purpose of the ...
The Norwegian government has developed a strategy aimed at awakening children's interest in reading. An important point of this plan is to support public libraries. One of the measures is considered mandatory visits to each classroom of the public library to familiarize children with its resources and capabilities.
Denmark in the last decade developing a new national cultural policy for children. Library continues to be one of the most important cultural resource for children, the library is visited by about 80% of all children in the country.
However, it must return to our realities. Let us state briefly the relation to the situation with the renaming of the library. Our Director - Mr.. A. Kislovskaya - a wonderful professional, loves people, dedicated, always open and ready for dialogue. Sometimes it is strongly expressed his opinion. But it is always ready to discuss and agree with someone else's point of view, if she argued. This has been proven many times. And never was the case that the opponents were the director at least once in their rights infringed upon or persecuted. Initially, a letter about renaming the library prepared after consultation with the experienced staff, professionals working in libraries for decades. Many of them supported the idea. Recall that this type of decision is almost never ever made collectively, by a general vote. They can be discussed with the team, with part of the team, but it takes them, no matter how difficult it is to some, that guide the institution or company ( if finished, the staff does not have its share of the company, then it is different ). Then the points of this letter was discussed at an open meeting, and most of the staff, again, he was supported by. Many of them knew and loved with. In. Mikhalkov as a children's writer, with my own eyes have seen hundreds of children enjoyed hearing from him, coming to the library for the holidays. On. In. Mikhalkov was a complex figure, but speaking of RGDB, we must give him his due: he is our library has always been a loyal friend and protector.
So, mindful of his services to the library, and knowing what lies ahead, the majority of staff agreed with the original decision of the Director. And, of course, no one is forced to decide one way or another ( our director - not Plato's tyrant ).
Once again I want to stress that our experts will work almost for free, and it is difficult to regard them as opportunist who think only about their profits. Do not count them as people sleepy, they are decades of creative work with readers, act as teachers, many of them - unique experts, known throughout Russia. It's the competent professionals, experts in their field, rather than abstract ... And do not forget that this is their library, they saved it in the nineties and continue to maintain its operation at a high level.
It remains to add that, apparently, a. A. Kopeikin does not understand what people really defending the ... Such a person, first try to resolve the problem itself, attract allies, and only finally convinced of the futility of his efforts, he may be, will seek the assistance of a third party. Being consistent, before that he will resign in order not to disrupt what is now called corporate ethics, and earlier was called respect for your colleagues. Our hero is not done - obviously, full consciousness of his own generosity and integrity, he's just once wrote in his blog and in the media. Express their views in a blog - is perfectly normal and correct, but why the ... http://bibliogid. rgdb. ru/articles/802.
Now the last thing: what can be done now? . New laws are being pushed to the introduction of fee-based library services. You like it? . while. And you say - ... Do not believe me - read our stories, ask the staff children's library near your home. While there is still, whom to ask.
Help us to lobby our common interests: writing about us, praise us, demand that they gave us a little more money - they're still going to care for children. Libraries are so necessary money to purchase literature and periodicals, the technique - but more importantly, for young professionals. We all have remained only those who have long been working for a pittance, just out of love for his work. You know, like that in Russia a lot, but nothing lasts forever. Many of us are already retired or soon will be there, there is every chance that the children's library, simply closed, and your and our children will have nowhere to go for a free children's literature.
We have many years fought for the interests of children, child rights, for providing the next generation of access to literature values , we tried to give all children the opportunity to supplement their education, expand horizons, gain the necessary knowledge. Millions of children (especially from low-income families ) through the libraries were able to grow into educated adult citizens.
Think and ask yourself: Does not your acceptance of the status quo as a given, not whether your indifference contributed to the current plight of many, many children's libraries?.
We have long done everything we could, and will continue to work. But you, our readers have grown up, parents and children of our readers - right now you can help. If you need us - to defend our interests, because this is the case when our interests - that your best interests and, more importantly, the interests of children.
In. P. Chudinov, head of. Department of the Russian State Children's Library.
A. In. Lissitzky, head of the educational center ... 10. 2010- Deputy Director of the Russian State Children's Library on Innovation.
Russian State Library for Children: What we have - do not store.
