The activity vectors of the Scientific Agricultural Library as a head library within the network of the country’s research agricultural libraries are reviewed. Information resources, mission, strategic objective, priority tasks and the main directions of development of the Central Scientific Agricultural Library are described. The features of the proprietary database “AGROS” comprising annotated and abstracted records of documents in national and foreign sources on the widest subject scope are analyzed. The functionalities the Centralized Electronic Library System and the Union Catalog of the libraries of Russian agro-industrial state research institutions are characterized as a corporate bibliographic resource. The main vectors of scientific research carried out at the Scientific Agricultural Library in accordance with the national academies’ of sciences program of fundamental studies for 2013-2020, par. 1 “Modern economic theory and the principles for the country’s agro-industrial complex in the circumstances of globalization and integration of world economy”, are explored. The issues of collection acquisition, control and preservation, standards and guidelines, HR, and user information awareness are highlighted.

The Siberian Federal University Scientific Library is characterized as one of the key players in the university’s education and research support. Approaches toward IRBIS-based design of statistical forms are examined. The method enables to take due account of remote users data and the features of the Siberian Federal University Scientific Library’s hybrid collection. Several key statistical indicators to characterize Library’s performance within the user services cycle are discussed. The set of statistical factors used by the University administration and librarians to analyze the Library’s performance are revealed. The authors conclude that the statistical indicators have to be improved to reflect changes in the collection structure, new promising sources and new user needs and demands which will also contribute to developing new approaches in library and information services. They emphasize that the library statistical data are of valuable source for the sphere of culture as a whole, as it enables to compare organizations’ performance, to reveal newest trends, and to measure their potentiality.

Due to and as a result of the Russian policy of import substitution, which is also true for the IT-sphere, several problems have to be solved in the nearest future. The authors describe them, namely: developing Russian OS and related software, and user training due to changing procedures, developing software for Russian OS or the crossplatform software suitable for every OS. Further, they highlight the key software groups used in Russian libraries: system software, office software, library software, peripheral device drivers, security and financial accounting software, and examine the possibilities for transitioning from foreign to Russian software listed in the Unified Register of the Russian programs. The authors emphasize the existing Russian software in every group comply with standards and can perfectly replace foreign products. However, they warn of the problems with peripheral equipment due to some lacking drivers, though many suppliers have been now being remedy of the situation. They conclude that the switching to Russian software by the libraries is quite realistic and doable.

Experience of training in machine-readable cataloguing at the Kemerovo State Institute of Culture is reviewed. Training in machine-readable cataloguing is implemented for specialization “Library information activities” (Chair of Document Communication Technologies). Within the profile of “Information Analysis” and “Technology of Integrated Library Information Systems” training in machine-readable cataloguing is provided within several courses, namely: "Analytic and synthetic information processing", "Library reference and information retrieval apparatus", "Local information needs support and services”, "Integrated library information systems”. Professional competences, knowledge and skills of machine-readable cataloguing required by the Federal State Standard 51.0.3.06 "Library and information activities" and the draft professional standard "Specialist in the sphere of library information activities" are discussed, along with their implementation in the above mentioned disciplines. The methodological support of the disciplines is characterized. The internship in machine-readable cataloging and corresponding certification for acquiring bachelor’s degree are also reviewed. The subject scope of research works in machine-readable cataloging for bachelor’s and master’s degrees is discussed. The authors emphasize that the education process, its theoretical and practical content, benefits from the close collaboration between Kemerovo State Institute of Culture and Siberian libraries, RF major library centers and specialized businesses.

On the basis of thorough analysis of current publications in bibliographic studies, foreign and domestic, the author concludes on the lack of differentiation of the terms “system” and “network”, and on the corresponding discrepancies in the professional terminology. She substantiates the need for such differentiation between the terms. In author’s opinion, the term “library system” is quite appropriate, as the concept of the “network” cannot be adopted as an umbrella term; the system of libraries and the network of libraries are related as the whole and a part. The author proceeds that the country’ system of libraries is the whole of libraries interacting at the level of individual library networks and proving access to the community’ information resources. The advisability of using the concept of “library information system” in modern reality is emphasized. The author also notes that the need for using this term is de facto substantiated by the textbook “General Bibliography” published by the Moscow State Institute of Culture and Arts in 2015.

The author examines the transformations of the Library Association of the United Kingdom (UK), founded in 1877, its role in shaping library education. She discusses the main activities of British Library and Information Association, known as the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP, as seen on the www-site www.cilip.org.uk). The essence of the Royal Charter given to the organization is described. The article focuses on the role of CILIP in accrediting LIS degree programs and listing job vacancies for library and information professionals. CILIP’s Strategic plan 2016-2020 is also described. The Strategic Plan sets four tasks: 1. To promote library and information skills and professional ethics; 2. To develop the resource of managers in library and information and knowledge industry; 3. To increase productivity of CILIP members; 4. To invest in innovations, standards and the profession improvement. The elements of the business strategy are named. The author emphasizes that the Plan is intended for the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals to go as a modern, progressive, and efficient professional organization to protect, unite and support those professionals working in the sphere of libraries, information and knowledge.

The year 2017 is marked by several memorial dates: One-hundred-year anniversary of Soviet library science, bibliography and book studies; 155-th anniversary of Nikolas (Nikolai Alexandrovich) Rubakin (1862-1946), encyclopedist, prominent educator and father of bibliopsychology; and the 155-th anniversary of Rubakin’s associate in his area of expertise - Nikolai Mikhailovich Somov, a half forgotten today bibliologist and bibliographer (1867-1951). Based on the confidential correspondence between Nikolas Rubakin and Nikolai Somov (N. Rubakin’s Archive deposited today at the Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library), the author describes unfavorable political and academic environment in the USSR in 1920s-1930s which took a heavy toll on the national book studies, library science and bibliography and resulted in terminating several promising trends and straining science priorities. The scientists’ attitude to the colleague then leading in the Soviet book studies is revealed. The author concludes that the professional landscape was rather sad, but we need to acknowledge all aspects of the professional history.

Review of the textbook "Library and Information Services" [in Russian, “Bibliotechno-informatsionnoye obsluzhivaniye”] under the science editorship of M. Ya. Dvorkina, recommended for university students studying in the field of "Library and Information Activity" (for "Bachelor" qualification). - St. Petersburg : Profession, 2016. - 240 p. The author analyzes the structure and contents of the new textbook "Library and Information Services". She focuses on the comprehensiveness, integrity, consistency and clarity of the contents to be comprehended by future bachelors. The reviewer points to the most appropriate chapters, namely those on library information services, their classification and technologies. Supplemented with comprehendible tables and appendices, the textbook can be used in practical training, too. The merits and drawbacks of several book chapters are discussed from the viewpoint of a longtime lecturer (the author teaches this discipline) who points to some questionable formulations of principles and service types. However, the textbook is highly needed, relevant, and takes into account the changes in the library information industry. As compared to previous editions, it defines clearly the role of libraries in the circumstances of growing information and communication technologies. The textbook refer to the current trends of library services, theoretical concepts of library science and education. The textbook is intended for the higher schools.

The Twenty First International Conference “LIBCOM-2017” - “Information Technologies, Computer Systems and Publications for Libraries” (November 20-24, 2017, Suzdal) is reviewed. Several professional events within the program appeared to be of greatest interest to the participants are highlighted, among them the Conference Central Discussion Site, the Board and members session of the National Library Association Libraries of the Future , discussion round table "Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled": Its value in the modern society and the role of libraries, problem-oriented workshop and discussion round table “Education in culture: New ideas and projects”, discussion round table “Problems of modern university libraries in the digital era”, and the traditional exhibition “Information technologies, computer systems and publications for libraries” and IRBSI School - both continuously held within every LIBCOM conference, and versatile social program. The winners of LIBCOM-2017 nominations were also announced. The forum conclusions are made.

Brief review of the International scientific-practical conference "Information support of science and education: Scientometrics and bibliometrics" held in Moscow on September, 2017, is presented. Some issues of bibliometric analysis are discussed. The authors focus mainly on the papers on bibliometric analysis instruments and technologies and researcher productivity. Explosive growth of publications, expansion of electronic media and open access publications (golden version) have given rise to the infringement of publication ethics, and emerging of predatory publishers and journals. Among other conference topics were the following: global and domestic trends of research, quality of Russian science publications, correlation between subscription costs and scientometric factors, RSCI analysis, etc. Special attention is given to paper by V. G. Bogorovs “Web of Science - the world of international science journals: Regional and global science citation indexes”, who discussed the criteria of selection for the Web of Science Core Collection.

We are introducing the “Model standard of the public library”, where I once read that "scores can be expressed from zero to ten". Is it worth talking about quality in general, if we allow that one of the indicators can be zero? The evaluation of quality is the subject of the study of science, which is called qualimetry The one of founders of qualimetry was G. Azgaldov. However, there are still a lot of people willing to write about the evaluation of quality so that not a word to say about qualimetry. They did not read the books of Azgaldov, and some even dispense with the term qualimetry. Without knowing the qualimetry, we make an obvious methodological error in the assessment of quality. What can be done with digital indicators "from zero to ten"? It's obvious: fold it! You can also divide the amount obtained by the number of indicators: you get a certain "average"... with "zero" quality for one indicator. The quality of the "individual indicator" does not compensate for the lack of quality in another indicator. Too much quality in one does not cover shortcomings in the other: quality in quantitative terms is not summarized. Each indicator should be expressed in the form of a decimal fraction, with the norm (the standard of quality) being the score of 1. The cumulative quality of the object is expressed by multiplying the indicators. There can not be at least one indicator equal to zero (multiplying any integer by zero yields zero). Even if at least one indicator from many equals 0.1 or 0.2, the cumulative index falls so low that it makes us ashamed to talk about any quality! Another interesting and very important regularity for us is connected with the number of parameters for which an estimate is made - as the number of parameters increases, the quality assurance problems increase dramatically. Thus, a conditionally "permissible" cumulative estimate of 0.7 with a number of indicators equal to 7 can be obtained only if each of them is not lower than 0.9. It is necessary to think whether it is worthwhile to express an abstract "score" on the evaluation of the quality of work, which in one case "pulls" for two thousand hours, and in another characterizes the work of the library for many years?