Perm joined the International Library Forum

Photo by Yelena Goldobina

Municipal government of Changzhou (China) initiated the Library Forum of twinned cities.  Svetlana Khaerzamanova, Director of Perm Municipal Libraries Association   gave a talk at the Forum  on modern formats in the work of libraries in Perm. 

The Forum was organised online bringing together participants from the cities of Stavropol (Russia), Essen (Germany), Arad (Romania), Namyangju-si (South Korea) and Lanus (Argentina). The Forum participants discussed important aspects of developing the city’s libraries, as well as shared experience in creating the library environment.

“The mission and role of libraries in post-epidemics time” became the central topic at the Forum. Svetlana Khaerzamanova, Director of Perm Municipal Libraries Association spoke about the activities of the association which is one of the largest in Russia, uniting 37 municipal libraries.  Every fifth resident of Perm City is a library member; over 4 million library documents are issued every year.  Starting 2019   Perm libraries are active participants of “Culture” national project which is focused on libraries modernization, creating comfortable library environment, renewal of book stocks, access to national digital book stocks and introduction of new electronic services.  Under the project, the federal centre money   has already been used to update about 25% of municipal libraries in Perm.  A special discussion was devoted to the experience of libraries during coronavirus pandemic when the libraries were closed for visitors. 

– Libraries have experienced a lot of various events at different times, the pandemic has become one more challenge, which the libraries have not only   lived through with dignity, but demonstrated their flexibility and ability to withstand the challenge.  We have found our new users – those who never came to libraries before.  They   became our remote users because they now see the new possibilities provided by libraries.  One of the indicators of the reader’s growing interest to the new formats is the 34 % increase in the number of   Association website visitors, noted Svetlana Khaerzamanova.