The author introduces theoretical, technological and sociological interpretations of the human category “function”. The functional approach in library studies, bibliography, and bibliology is explored. The common character of the essential functions of the social institutions within the bibliological sphere is revealed.

The term of “thesaurofest” is scrutinized; the characteristics of the system, the technologies of efficient information retrieval are analyzed. Prospects for retrieval systems modernization are discussed.

Review of the book: Above the Barriers: Russian-U.S. Cooperation in Education and Culture: Professional Experience of V. P. Leonov, Director of Russian Academy of Sciences Library [in Russian] / Comp. by A. S. Krymskaya ; RAS Library. - St. Petersburg, 2013. - 204 p.

The main vectors of the activities of Nizhny Novgorod State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Library are discussed. The role of the Library’s early leaders is emphasized.

The brief history of the Library is discussed. Its current activities and contribution to the academic life are examined.

Current macrotrends in sci-tech information development are described. New elements of the national information infrastructure are reviewed. Structure, goals, and prospects for research social networking for improving information interaction of key communities in the segment of technology research, development, transfer are analyzed. Several problems and tasks of reliable and safe Russian Internet segment are introduced.

New approaches to assessment of researchers performance are of great importance to Russian science. In terms of intense flows of scientific information, design and application of new tools for information structuring, analysis and assessment have been increasingly demanded. Bibliometrics makes one of the most promising approaches. The authors generalize on the current status of bibliometrics, the range of its problems and point to its limitations.

The author proves the relevance of the task to introduce typology of ethical situations in research teams in universities with the case study method. Information ethics content is analyzed, and the term of information ethical situation is defined. Based on A. Gev’s typology and V. Kanke’s ethics of responsibility, the authors review the findings of the case study of Ryazan State University students, and mini-cases of V. F. Margelov Higher Airborne Command College. The article is prepared within the framework of the research project No. 15-03-00049 sponsored by the Russian Foundation for the Humanities

Problems of the most popular classification systems in the library and information sphere, namely Library Bibliographic Classification (BBK), UDC, State Sci-tech Information Rubricator, are addressed. The history of their e-versions is illuminated; presentation and use forms are described.

The issues of training librarians for modern libraries are discussed. Main problems of continuing professional education are defined, the need for secondary professional education further development and the interaction within the education system are proved. The author argues that librarians’ social status has to be increased.

Main topics of the Section and important papers are discussed, and the conclusions of the joint section with Section 13 “Medical Information: Libraries Role in Support of Scientific Research and Information Support for Physicians” are reviewed.

The experience of the Russian State Library for Young Adults is discussed.

The author reviews the Conference main topics: open access as a part of open science concept and its impact on library technologies; modern methods of data processing; working with non-text materials (video, images, research data, etc.); innovative hardware (mobile devices, 3D-printers, etc.) and social networks in libraries as user engagement tools); new approaches towards library space design and furnishing. The author also focuses on the keynote papers presented at the Conference.