The First Exhibition at the University Library Opened a Century Ago, on November 7, 1922
понедельник 7 ноября 2022, 16:48
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At the time the library collection amounted to 100 thousand books in Russian and in foreign languages. The library was functioning as a central repository catering for the scientific needs of readers in the Urals and Siberia. It was located in the building of the Institute of Mines in 30 Siberian Avenue (which is nowadays a building of Ural State Mining University in 30 Kuybysheva St). The Institute of Mines used to be part of Ural University back then. In 100 years of its existence the library has organized various exhibitions, off-site exhibitions included. Highly used materials, new acquisitions, most valuable items in the treasure troves of books were placed on display there. Book exhibitions have accompanied all significant events of the university and city life, in the country and in the world. Exclusive presentation makes them the centre of attraction. Not once have they been admired and discussed by the academic society. E.g., during the confrontation on the Eastern Front of World War II (known in the former Soviet Union as the Great Patriotic War) the library had up to 45–50 newspaper showcases regularly updated. On each showcase there were 5–6 titles featuring news from the front which were drawing attention of numerous readers. Exhibitions dedicated to departments’ and scientists’ anniversaries, major displays timed to remarkable university dates have become traditional. Exhibition formats and approaches to their organisation have been changing with the development of new technologies. Creating virtual alternatives to traditional exhibitions available for readers via remote access has now become a new sphere of library work. Every year the university library stages about two hundred subject displays for its readers in reading rooms, information centres and circulation desks. The librarians master their exhibition skills in an attempt to surprise readers with all the book treasures in the library collection worthy to be uncovered. They try to get readers involved in conversation. Every display is accompanied by a bibliographic list of the editions placed on view. In the current year the library a unique exhibition area has opened. It allows self-access to the exhibited books and provides an opportunity to study them in a comfortable environment. Apart from editions in the library collection the hall may be used for displaying students’ and staff members’ artwork. The university library accepts requests for subject displays in the Exhibition Hall (room 267, 4 Turgeneva Street), as well as in other library units provided there is specially prepared space. |