About the project

About “Next Generation Library” project:

There are more than 36 thousand municipal libraries in Russia. For a long time, they were not given enough attention. Many of them had outdated collections, no comfortable furniture and modern equipment. To return readers to the reading halls, the libraries needed a reboot. In 2014 the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation approved a model standard, according to which pilot versions of next generation libraries were created.

The experiment was successful. Thus, in 2019, the project to create model libraries was included in the national project “Culture”. Modern and comfortable spaces for reading and creativity, efficient work and comprehensive development began to appear in all subjects of the Russian Federation. The Russian State Library became the coordinator of the renovation of institutions.

Among the main objectives of the national project is to improve the quality of life and accessibility of cultural services both in large cities and in small towns. Equal access to information and knowledge in close proximity to the place of residence, new services, high-speed Internet and various intellectual ways of spending leisure time in a comfortable fashionable space - all this has become real thanks to the next generation libraries.

It was planned that 110 institutions would be updated annually within the framework of the project. However, the model libraries quickly gained the interest and attention of readers. In the first two years, the pace of modernization has increased significantly. The volume of federal funds allocated for library modernization has increased as well.

By the end of 2024, 1,229 model libraries will be opened in 87 subjects of the Russian Federation.

About 9 billion rubles (about $87 million) from the federal budget were allocated for their creation, additional funds were also allocated from regional and municipal budgets, and in some regions it was possible to attract sponsorship funds.

The amount of funding provided in 2019-2024 was 8.927 billion rubles

This support allowed us to update the collections and expand the selection of current fiction and non-fiction literature available to readers. The library spaces were renovated and equipped with comfortable furniture and modern electronics. Accessible conditions for visitors with disabilities were also created in the institutions.

More than 3.4 million printed documents have been purchased for model libraries

We pay particular attention to the interior design. Each model library has a unique style which is developed taking into account the local identity of the regions, the features of the local cultural heritage, as well as the wishes of the staff and readers.

With the modernization of the institution, even in the most remote cities and villages, high-speed Internet access is provided. Because to this, users can comfortably access the collections of the National Digital Library and other digital information resources.

NDL website:Кнопка

This major reboot helps attract people to libraries who were not regular readers before. In 2023, the number of visits to model libraries increased by 42% compared to the year before the modernization.

Over 3.2 million users registered in model libraries in 2023

The project gave a real boost to the development of the entire library network of Russia. Readers see changes in neighboring regions and want the same in their localities. Therefore, local authorities are developing their own programs to update cultural institutions. Thus, from 2019 to 2023, 409 municipal libraries in 43 subjects of the Russian Federation were modernized at the expense of regional and municipal funds. More than 2.5 billion rubles were allocated for this.

You can visit our website or social media pages on VK and Odnoklassniki for more information and news about the “Next Generation Library” project.

New projects for reading and creativity

Over time, the “Next Generation Library” project has not only expanded by itself, but has also contributed to the emergence of new initiatives in the library field.

Reading service “Svet” (eng. light).

READING SERVICE “SVET”:Кнопка

The mobile app catalog contains more than 7 thousand digital works of literature, including over 1 thousand audiobooks. With its help, children and adults can comfortably read masterpieces of world literature, get acquainted with the biographies of classic writers and poets, watch famous Soviet and Russian films, and also test their knowledge. The service is available not only in Russia, but also abroad, so you can get acquainted with the cultural heritage in Russian language all over the world.

Project for the development of creative industries “Genius loci”

“GENIUS LOCI”:Кнопка

On the basis of state and municipal libraries the talent concentration points are being created. In such spaces anyone can engage in creativity and acquire relevant skills. With the acquired knowledge, visitors can make a personal contribution to the development of the economy of their regions and the country as a whole. Today, 420 such spaces are available in 79 subjects of Russia. They are already helping to create the infrastructure to support creative industries in the regions.