Central Libraries of the Subjects of the Russian Federation: Monitoring Results (2015—2024)

Since 2011, the National Library of Russia (NLR) has been monitoring the state and municipal libraries of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. This article presents the results of monitoring from 2015 to 2024, conducted by the NLR’s Department of Development and Library Analytics, whose responsibilities include collecting, analyzing, and publicly reporting data on the state of the library sector in the Russian Federation. Our country’s library network undergoes annual reorganization; this transformation has also affected the system of central libraries (CL) in the regions of the Russian Federation. After a brief overview of the history and development of CL, this article focuses on their current status. At present, regional CL collaborate with municipal libraries to maintain a common professional space. Their role as organizational, methodological, and research centers for library work is significant, as well as agents influencing the formation of regional library policy. According to the NLR monitoring data, in 2015, there were 258 CL in 85 constituent entities of the Russian Federation; as of January 1, 2025, 256 CL operated in 88 regions. In 86% of regions, the number of CL has remained unchanged since 2015. In 12% of regions, the number of CL decreased over 10 years, while in 2%, it increased. This article provides a detailed analysis of the changes in the number of CL as network units and legal entities. The distribution of CL types by region is shown: general library, children’s library, youth library, and specialized library for the visually impaired. In recent years, general libraries have merged with regional children’s and youth libraries, as well as with specialized libraries for the blind and visually impaired, which have become either their structural divisions or branches. However, in a number of regions, a contrary trend has emerged — the restoration of specialized libraries serving the visually impaired as CL. There are significant differences in the number and type of CL. Twenty-five percent of the Russian Federation’s constituent entities had one or two CL, which often had branches or specialized divisions. Almost half of the Russian Federation’s constituent entities had three CL (47%) as part of their library networks as of January 1, 2025; four CL (25%) and five CL (2%) operated in the remaining regions. As of January 1, 2025, only the Chukotka Autonomous Region had no functioning CL. Budget-funded institutions (81%) predominated among CL, representing libraries of all types. Significantly fewer CL were state-owned cultural institutions (12%) and autonomous institutions (7%). The activities of CL form the foundation of our country’s library network, determining the functioning of local libraries and the organization of library services in the regions. The CL of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation participate in the implementation of national projects and the preservation of the country’s cultural heritage, influencing the development of cultural policies in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. When making decisions about library network reforms, a balanced approach is essential, ensuring full service for all user groups in the region.