The author reviews the activity of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) in the area of bibliography and bibliographic studies since the second half of 20th century. IFLA bibliography-oriented divisions with the account to the recent structural changes are named. The changes are approved at 2021 World Library and Information Congress. The key projects in blbliography and cataloguing are discussed: Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC), UNISIST (United Nations International Scientific Information System); National Information Systems; International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD). The current technological projects, e. g. FRBR, FRAD, FRSAD, FRBRoo, PRESSoo, IFLA LRM, are to regulate and standardize requirements to bibliographic records to support multiaspect information retrieval. The author argues that IFLA has transformed its bibliographic activities from large-scale global projects intended to embrace various types of documents and to unify bibliographic records toward narrower technological projects oriented toward disclosing data on format and contents of documents and efficient utilization of bibliographic information. The author emphaszes that IFLA is now focusing on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals agenda and 2030 Culture Coalition.

The author based her article on the paper delivered at the Third World Bibliographic Congress (Novosibirsk, 27–29 April, 2021).

Scientometrics is a valuable asset in science management. However, application of scientometric indicators in the sociohumanistic sciences reveals some drawbacks. The problems of assessing researcher efficiency are analyzed and several solutions are proposed. The number of citations in the sociohumanistic sciences and STEMS are analyzed in terms of languages presented in the Web of Science. The author agrees with the expert opinion that research activities in the social sciences and the humanities cannot be correctly assessed with scientometric indicators. On the basis of the study, the author formulates the proposals on how to eliminate these problems. The study covers the wide time period (over 40 years) revealing citation trends in the social sciences, STEM and the humanities. The proposals can be applied in science management in universities and academic organizations.

The information needs of students were explored with the demand analysis methods. The study was targeted at students as a social group. The results confirmed the sociological findings of students’ low satisfaction with information support provided by the largest libraries. More specifically, the target group was regular library users who access library resources predominantly for the purposes of learning. In this segment, the high level of satisfaction is identified as related to university curricula and education goals (completing assignments, deepening and consolidating knowledge), medium level of satisfaction is linked to personal development and gaining learning skills, while the low level of satisfaction is linked to searching for further learning and career prospects and various aspects of social networking. The 

year of study. The structure of demand for educational anв professional documents depends on the curricula, and chronology limitation are determined by educational standards and faculty recommendations. Based on the study findings, the author suggests that the diverse newest and aссessible learning materials and possibility to develop certain learning skills through attending educational events and consultations make the advantages of larger libraries.

The author reviews cultural and leisure activities of scientific libraries. These activities is realized in the form of intellectual, development and educational activities (IDEA) in the era of digitalization. The author defines the range of libraries that offer services and technologies that correspond to IDEA and IDSP (Intellectual Development and Science Popularization) in the digitalization era. The author provides the leisure definition and predicts the merge of educational and leisure activities. Based on the national and foreign experience in the area, the author offers the most promising vectors for scientific libraries: virtual reality (VR) technologies; augmented reality technologies (AR), science documentaries, robotics courses, prototyping and 3D-printing, makerspaces for digital technologies, digital storytelling. She concludes that IDEA and IDSP activities have made a quantum leap as compared to cultural and leisure activities of public libraries. The factors of this transformation are discussed. The author concludes on the prospects of developing IDSP activities of scientific libraries.

The author discusses preservation of documented heritage through reconstruction of library collections. She refers to the experience of Orenburg Theological Seminary Library which collections were lost in 1919. While it is possible to reconstruct library collections and archives, reconstruction methods are much more well-developed and applied to lost archives. However in librarianship, the methods are applied primarily in practice rather than developed as research methods. This study is intended to substantiate the efficiency of the method of document collections reconstruction in reviving lost library collections. In all times, the books that do not meet certain criteria, e. g. ideological, have been annihilated physically, or removed and transferred to special depositories. It is most unlikely that these books can be detected and brought back to the libraries. The method of archival reconstruction is used to recreate descriptive model of lost library. The specific tools are used for this purpose; therefore, this method can be called library collection bibliographic reconstruction when the inventory or catalog comprising both preserved and irrevocably lost publications is conducted. This method was used to reconstruct the lost collection of Orenburg Theological Seminary Library

Modern functionality of library e-catalogs and union catalogs is discussed. The e-catalogs are examined for the features of new generation. However, many features are lacking in e-catalogs. Almost all e-catalogs under examinations are comfortable for use and feature facet navigation, several search modes, instructions and search guides. On the other hand, not many e-catalogs cover the library collection completely, and have to be checked for spelling. Just few ecatalogs offer fonts for visually impaired people, recommendations orthe possibility to add information to bibliographic records. Definitely, e-catalog bibliographic records comprise additional information, i. e. book cover images, annotations, and less frequently – lists of contents. However, as a rule, this data is included into blbliographic records of modern publications. Many e-catalogs comprise full texts or links to full texts. The study findings evidence on the need to improve ecatalog functionality to offer users more powerful and attractive search tools.

The author introduces the mathematical model of recurrent neural network with external memory. It is intended for predicting efficient education trajectory in digital information environments, e. g. digital libraries. The goal of computer-aided learning based on neural networks is to personalize user trajectories. In the study, user behavior is modeled for the more precise personalization in various aspects using recurrent neural networks. The method is designed for two types of recurrent neural networks, i. e. the classic one with sigmoidal activation function and that with LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory). The experiments demonstrated serious advantages of recurrent neural networks over analogous methods in predicting education trajectory. Thus, the proposed model is the more efficient in predictive accuracy (by 15–20% higher than analogous methods). Its prime application area is prediction of optimum user education trajectory in the digital information environment, and digital library, in particul

The author continues to review the attitude of students in the speciality “Library information activities” toward methods and formats of digital learning through distance education technologies. The students of educational institutions of the RF Ministry of Culture were surveyed. Three hundred and eighty three (383) bachelor-program students and 65 masters-to-be participated in the survey. The respondents specified the methods and format of digital learning introduced during the restriction pandemic period. It is demonstrated that after these emasures had been introduced, the intensity of utilization of digital learning methods and forms increased, as well as the ratio of the so-called external methods and forms, i. e. messengers and videoconference systems. It is established that the learners prefer the systems and/or services that they know and are used to. At the same time, the dynamics of moving toward solutions integrated into digital information education environment is demonstrated. The author argues that almost every digital information education environment features some kinds of external methods and forms of digital learning with distance education technologies. The results of their application can be preserved and replicated. To make their digital learning with distance education technologies more efficient, educational institutions have to minimize external systems and look into possibility of introducing mass open online courses.