azmi muharom

Sign up just 3 minutes, the largest library in Russia presents the millions of good books!

On Tuesday, April 12, 2016, as the Student of Higher School Of Economics-Moscow now we're off to college, we decided to go visit the Russian State Library, the largest library in Russia and the fifth largest in the world with 44, 4 million numbers of collections.

At the gates of the magnificent building, still plastered the name of V. I. Lenin State Library of the USSR. Yes this name is used since 1925 to 1992 before being converted into the Russian State Library, the library's history and details can be viewed at the Library Official Site and Wikipedia.

Read a good book in the good library could be one of the greatest pleasures in life. That great to read fiction, non-fiction, or science books with heavy and thick form, this article will tell you about our visit to the largest library in Russia with two main themes: a guide to get a library access card and reading guide.

A. Getting a library access card

1. Go to the Registration office 

We can not wait to read and go to the library. However, information officer immediately gave the explanation that we should have first access card to enter this building.

Do not repeat our mistakes, if this the first time, you should go to the registration office located at Gate two (Moscow, Vozdvizhenka, 3/5, entrance 2. Tel. +7 (495) 695-57-90).

In that the room you will see such a way as in the Bank. The security guard will ask the purpose and give direction to the next ordinances.

2. Prepare ID, student card, Fill Form and get queue number

All of the registration process is free of charge. For Russians and foreigners, there is no difference in terms and conditions to get a library access card. At that time we only need to carry an ID card (Passport and Visa) as well as student cards of Higher School of Economics.

Fill in the form as an example provided then take a queue number.

3. Taking Photo and Cards

The room is laid out like a Bank. We only need to look at the queue number provided on the main screen, and then we go to the small booth to input data and capture photo. Before 3 minutes, all processes have been completed.

Thank God, we've printed card, the Officer will check first before giving it. After the library access card is functioning properly, just say Spasiba to the Officer.

B. Reading Books at Library

1. Create an agenda for the Library

Plan our agenda and we must use it wisely. If we set the time, we would not feel chased or in a hurry and can avoid confusion. Library access card will be used many times. We will be given a red paper contains the identity and reading agenda.

It’s true, at the library we have reading agenda, that contain lists of books and reading time will be written in this red paper. Do not get lost because this paper is must be returned at the exit gate.

Oia, if your agenda is for exploring, this the secret from us :

• There are three floors in the library

• The first floor consists of an online catalog and a room for periodicals and new books

• Second Floor consists of room receptionis for retrieval and return of books, a reading room no 1, central catalog system and military books

• Three Floor consist of room receptionis for retrieval and return of books, reading room no 2, the photocopy room, room for nonbook publications, museum collections of old book and conference hall.

• Check the details about the library room in http://www.rsl.ru/en/s1/s12/s124177/

If your agenda is for reading, this is the secret from us:

• It is the largest library in Russia and the fifth largest in the world.

• There are several spaces such as libraries in general, but the books are available to be taken by the officer. We will be asked to printed note of catalogue.

• Books collection are mostly placed inside the central catalog. we just need to print a note of catalogue collection (see details below) and go to the officer for retrieval and return of books.

2. Select a few books.

When we read for pleasure, perhaps we want to choose a fiction or nonfiction book which is a common interest. When we read to do the work, perhaps we want to choose the books, journals and periodicals. There are millions of books like that here.

Use the online catalog that available, such as ATM machines this machine only work with an access card. We just need to type the name of the book, select the length of time reading and submit detailed data, then note of catalogue collection similar with ATM note already done.

Check the details on the online catalog at http://search.rsl.ru/

In a note we will get detailed info about the time and location for take and return of books.

3. Get the book you want.

There are several different ways to get it:

• Show note of catalogue collection and reading agenda

• Getting books in a bookcase or

• Getting books on the second floor or the third floor from Officer

Once we get a book that we wanted. Find a comfortable place to sit, there are a variety of locations can we choose. Make sure there is plenty of light and open the front cover. Starting from the beginning, which is usually the first chapter unless it is part of the introduction, and read every page of the book sequentially until graduation.

Lastly ,,

Return the books that have been read to Officer. So the conclusion is:

"The most unique is in this library is fell as in the Bank in the process of service. No complicated Jump and Squat for looking the books. We only show a paper note of catalogue collection from catalog machines and the officer will get our books."

Oia unfortunately we immediately went back to the Beloved Dormitory 1 HSE Moscow. We forgot to ask how to borrow the library collection, maybe you know about that?? Please additional another info.

   

Azmi Muharom

Students of Asian Studies

National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow

@azmihalo