The publishing project “Selections from the collections of the Presidential Academy Scientific Library”

Abstract

The article tells about the rich holdings of the Scientific Library of the Presidential Academy. The one-million collection comprises, among all, rare editions, lifetime publications of Russian classics, as well as the books with autographs and ex-libris of prominent figures in science, culture and politics. The library, founded in 1908, not only preserves the cultural heritage, but also intensively promotes it through modern and traditional methods: exhibitions, lectures, quests, as well as publishing projects. In 2024, the book series “Selections from the Presidential Academy Scientific Library Funds” was launched. The first book presents unique ex-libris and autographs of such historical figures as Tsar Alexander II, Dmitry Mendeleev, Ivan Bunin, and others. “Selected Propaganda Materials” were published in 2025, dedicated to the brochures of the Great Patriotic War, that convey the spirit of the time and the role of wartime propaganda. The methodology of materials selection, analysis of their historical significance, preservation and representativeness of the documents, is also discussed. These initiatives are not only to preserve the historical memory, but also to make it accessible to the wider audience, emphasizing the enduring value of library collections.