27 May marks All-Russian Library Day in Russia—a professional holiday for librarians, bibliographers, and all specialists dedicated to preserving and developing book culture. The holiday was established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 1995 and commemorates the founding of Russia's first state public library—the Imperial Public Library, now the Russian National Library.
The SPbGASU Scientific and Technical Library is rightfully considered one of the oldest university libraries in Russia. Its history is inextricably linked with that of the university and dates back to 1832, the founding of the School of Civil Engineers.
Today, the SPbGASU STL is a modern, multidisciplinary space for education, research, and personal development for students, teachers, and researchers. Its collection comprises approximately one million publications on construction, architecture, and related disciplines. Electronic resources, full-text databases, and digital services are actively developing.
Of particular value are the rare editions and archival materials from the 19th and 20th centuries devoted to architecture, construction, and engineering. The library not only provides information resources for the educational process and supports the university's research activities, but also conducts active exhibition and educational activities. It regularly hosts thematic book exhibitions, presentations of new acquisitions, and events dedicated to memorable dates and the history of Russian science and culture.
Traditionally, on All-Russian Library Day, the library's reading halls host exhibitions of rare publications and unique projects by 19th- and 20th-century architects. This year, readers will be able to enjoy the exhibition "Engineer on the Imperial Throne of Russia," dedicated to the 230th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Nicholas I, who in 1832 signed the decree establishing the first specialized educational institution in the Russian Empire for the training of civil engineers.
Part of the exhibition "Engineer on the Imperial Throne of Russia"
The exhibition showcases original works by renowned architects—Carlo Rossi, Heinrich Bosse, Konstantin Thon, Alexander Bryullov, Ippolit Monighetti, Auguste de Montferrand, and other masters who influenced the formation of the architectural appearance of St Petersburg—as well as rare architectural publications from the 19th century.
On the All-Russian Library Day, the university congratulates the library staff and thanks them for their high professionalism, dedication, attentive service to readers, and contribution to the development of the university's educational and scientific environment.
Special words of gratitude are addressed to Elena Gennadyevna Romanova, Head of the Scientific and Technical Library of the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, for her many years of work, preserving library traditions and developing modern areas of library activity.
We wish the library team new professional achievements, interesting projects, grateful readers, inspiration, and continued growth!