The e-library of St. Petersburg Corporate Network of Public Libraries is a fulltext information retrieval system: it embraces valuable sources in Russian and world cultural heritage and enables public libraries to offer their users an efficient instrument for working with scientifically valuable publications. Corporate member libraries also transfer their collections to NEL and most popular ELS of commercial companies, which widens the audience, increases library collection use efficiency. The authors highlight organizational and technological solutions for the e-library: from digital collections of V. Mayakovasky City Public Library to building the corporate public information resource (2008-2016). Project work principles and vectors are discussed.

The author examines the issues of education process support with learning aids in the circumstances of changing library service paradigm from traditional to digital one. The need for solving these problems is increasing due to the tasks of efficient management of digital information resources development and use, quality management system implementation, studies of universities’ information space, in particular, openness and accessibility of learning publications. The author describes the interuniversity scheme of book supply for the institutes of culture based on “Book sufficiency” database of the interuniversity e-library. This model is proposed to be introduced to the information market as an efficient and prospectively demanded computer library system.

Trends in modern web-technologies and their application in libraries are analyzed. Services and options offered by Internet-based retrieval systems, bookselling systems, and foreign academic and research resources aggregators are reviewed. Key functions of J-IRBIS2.0 - web-oriented solution based on IRBIS64 LAS designed to facilitate and simplify search and use of individual fulltext and multimedia library resources are highlighted. The author examines the efficiency of J-IRBIS2.0 module from the viewpoint of the Order No. 636 of the Ministry of Education and Science of June 29, 2015.

The author reviews the development of computer-aided library technologies in Russia. He analyzes why we have stopped half way and do not design union e-catalogs, do not introduce single user cards, or uniformed computer-aided retrieval software. The author also questions why we abandoned card catalogs though had not define whether e-catalogs could fully make up for their functionality, why almost every national ALIS is alike those foreign systems; why we use three formats at once - MARC21, UNIMARC, RUSMARC? The author concludes that departmental dispersion of libraries prevents them from solving the problems.

The task of the project is to introduce classification knowledge model as Linked Open Data, LOD, and to provide access to it from Semantic Web through standard network instruments. The reviewed system of RSL systematic catalog (Library Bibliographic Classification) subject divisions is accepted as a source for classification knowledge model The authors examine SKOS-based data structure and the software. Operation principles in terms of the search in e-library catalog and RSL traditional collections are discussed.

The evolution of libraries and their main problems in contemporary social medium is examined. The current status of Russian library system and the sources of library environment stratification are discussed. The value characteristics of library information education and reasons of its insufficient efficiency are defined. Ways to overcome the crisis in library sphere are suggested. The necessity for social mandate and government support of libraries, on one hand, and for consolidation of library education institutes, employer, and libraries, on the other hand, is emphasized. The authors argue that these measures would enable to choose optimal vector for professional library activities.

The article covers the spectrum of vital problems of higher library education discussed at the interregional discussion round table within the framework of LIBCOM-2016 International Conference. Among the most important issues are: modernization of Federal State Education Standards and transformation of the sectoral education model, integration of education and professional standards, developing the system of basic universal and general professional competences, professional activities of baccalaureate and master program graduates, etc. Trends in standardization in the professional education are discussed.

The educational potential of scientific forecasting methods for masters program in Library and Information Studies area is examined, in particular, the Delphi technique as a forecast and expertise method. Basic characteristics of efficient interactive classes using Delphi procedure are defined. Issues of preparing textbooks and learning aids in research methods and procedures for universities offering bachelors and masters programs in library and information studies are highlighted.

Unknown and amazing circumstances of the granting pension to Nikolai (Nicholas) Rubakin (1862-1946), then resident in Switzerland, by the Soviet Government, are revealed. The author takes the chance to review and characterize Rubakin’s attitude towards Soviet realities and Western democracy, and to demonstrate the drama of Rubakin’s life and work. Based on archival documents.