Information and Library Collection of A. A. Chernov Geological Museum as a specialized scientific library

Abstract

The needs of modern society activize the integration of libraries, museums and archives into the context of converging tasks, functions and methods. The authors review the experience of the information and library collection research division of the Institute of Geology of Komi Research Center of RAS Ural Branch in acquisition, control and storage of publications. The authors analyze typological characteristics, operation and role of the museum library in preservation and promotion of national cultural and geological heritage. The collections of Chernov Geological Museum comprise rock materials collections complemented with mineralography as represented in monographs, articles, and digests. In sixty years the library has accumulated over 10,000 entries in its core collection. The collection is distributed between the rare book department, general department (monographs, preprints, digests), serials and proceedings departments. The computerized system “A. A. Chernov Geological Museum, Collections Database” comprises alphabetical index for information retrieval. The collection diversity, functions and tasks make it a specialized scientific museum-library. Based on the analysis, the authors conclude that the collections have to be reviewed and analyzed to reflect the institutional vectors of studies and to support research, to promote library collections via the social media, and to exhibit materials. They emphasize that the typology of museum libraries in the natural sciences is under developed. They conclude that lacking professional librarians in the museum hinders its operation as a library.