The authors explore convergence of sciences as a way for building holistic view of the world in the era of revolutionary transformations. The convergence suggests interdependence of all scientific disciplines, system integrity of theory and practice efficiency and productivity. The authors review the issues of disciplines convergence and interaction within the historical context of dichotomic “innovations-traditions” and “integration-differentiation” processes. The prerequisites for convergent approach in the past and current library theory, and the specific character of converging and interacting disciplines in the humanities, are revealed. The idea that the aim of sciences convergence is to achieve global evolutionism is examined from the synergetic viewpoint; the authors emphasize that the majority of research goals are oriented toward convergent evolution. They propose an algorithm to study library science convergence and substantive tools; the structure of convergence and interaction of library science and the humanities, non-humanities and technologies is also developed. Special features of this interaction and different convergence levels are discussed. The authors argue that theoretical conceptualization of the technology-humanistic balance of convergent evolution in the library studies would enable to avoid culture’s dependence on technologies when the increasing technological potential exceeds the cultural one. The authors fulfilled the pilot analysis of the relevant theoretical problems of library science for the recent 5 years. They suggest that the library science would possibly contribute to the global cultural convergence projects.

The authors analyze the dynamics of Russian publication array against the global one by various types of publications, as well as the publications share and impact on Russia’s rating position. The analysis is based on two global polythematic resources, namely Web of Science Core Collection (WoS CC) and Scopus. The proceedings materials are the most significant factor of Russia’s contribution to W oS C C a nd S copus. B esides, R ussia’s rating i n W oS C C i s s ignificantly determined by the publications indexed in WoS CC Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) database. Using the obtained data, the authors demonstrate that, in particular years, the average citation of letters, book chapters, etc., was higher that research articles citation. This calls into question the expedience of tracking articles and reviews alone. The focus is also made on the conference proceedings in WoS CC and Scopus. This type of publications has been increasing dramatically in Russia while world dynamics is quite moderate. Citation of conference proceeding is lower than that of other types of publications, with some exceptions. Taking into account scholarly importance and relevance of conference proceedings, abandoning this type of publications is seen as misleading. Possibly, the conference proceedings are to be tracked separately considering ambiguity of their assessment. The authors also demonstrate that, due to different approaches to separation in publication types, the findings for WoS CC and Scopus differ significantly in both quantity and citation.

The purpose of the study is to reveal trends in the open science information ecosystem in the era of global crisis (COVID-19, etc.). Based on the findings, the author argues that the international interaction intensifies, publications and research findings are available in open access, research data dissemination, reproduction, preservation and seamless access are demanded and offered as never before. The examples of the resources made accessible for research and educational purposes are provided. The role of libraries in offering resources and services to the users in the period of restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in fighting fake information and adapting to the new forms of interaction with vendors and resource aggregators, is advocated.

The abridged translation into Russian of the annual report of OCLC (Rise beyond OCLC Annual Report 2020–2021) is offered. The traditional vectors of expanding accessibility and functionality of the company’s core product, namely WorldCat, and increasing focus on document delivery and professional partnerships with publishers’ are demonstrated. Special attention is given to linked data and project to involve wide public worldwide in cataloguing.
The majority of public and academic libraries prefer using the world catalog WorldCat thus avoiding large scale cataloguing processes. Unfortunately, this country drags heels about using this treasure: Cyberleninka joined the WorldCat in 2016; the Russian union catalog Libnet comprises 13.6 mln recors (as for 2020), and the Union Catalog of sci-tech literature – 1.2 mln entries (as for 2022). At the same time, based on OCLC Annual Report 2020–2021 data, the WorldCat embraces 515 mln records reflecting 3.1 billion items in library collections. Such impromptness may be due to Russian professionals’ ignorance of the English language.

The interdisciplinary approach to studying the book and library as the forms of memory transmission is discussed. The purpose of the study was to substantiate the concept of the library “as the form to memorize knowledge and preserve cultural memory”. The originality of the study lies in the defining traditional library functions: they not only preserve information and deliver it to users but also orient them in the world of books, and facilitate their creativity. The monograph in structured in four chapters. Chapter 1 “The methodological foundations of the memory phenomenon studies” examines the concepts of the book and reading in the memory structure. Chapter 2 “Conceptualization of the memory in philosophy and cultural studies” comprises the analysis of memory concepts related to the memory institutions: libraries, museums, and archives. In the Chapter 3, “The memory organizational forms”, the evolution and institutionalization of collective memory forms are discussed. Chapter 4 “The library and cultural memory” focuses on the book and library as memory transmission forms. The libraries’ humanistic mission is substantiated; they do not only preserve cultural and historic heritage but are also naturally and creatively apply new technological possibilities. The interdisciplinary approach chosen by the author enables to demonstrate the prospects for the libraries, books and academic community in upgrading cultural environment.

The authors review the book dedicated to Vyacheslav M. Tyutyunnik, father of nobelistics, “Nobelistics as the core method of building value-oriented human consciousness and spiritual projecting of the future” under the international collective authorship. The publication is prepared on the occasion of the 35-th anniversary of Tambov-based International Information Nobel Center.
The book structure and contents are characterized in brief. The book comprises two sections: “The main activities of the IINC, its workers and nobelists – associate members – in developing nobelistics” and “Achievements of V. M. Tyutyunnik’s international nobelistics school and his contribution to nobelistics theory, methodology and practice”. The authors characterize V. M. Tyutyunnik as the founder of the evolving science of nobelistics, developer of bioscientometrics theory, and emphasize his role in advocating the international school of nobelistics.

The third scientific and practical conference “The letters and digits: The libraries on the way to digitalization” “BilioPiter–2022” is reviewed. The conference w as h eld i n S t. P etersburg o n A pril 6–8, 2022. Every year, the conference gathers together library professionals, educationalists and researchers to contribute to the development of library and information sphere. The conference key topic is discussed: joint efforts of the libraries and educational, informational and research organizations in developing new approaches, methods and technologies for the library and information sphere in the modern digital environment. The focus is made on specialized research and practical seminar “Automation of libraries in the digital information educational environment” and IRBIS School one-day session (St. Petersburg State Institute of Culture); lecture-seminar series “The libraries in the modern information and digital environment “Concepts, technologies, laws and regulations”; discussion round table “The libraries’ interacting with the society, business and authorities”; presentation of the memorial threevolume book “My friend Katya Genieva” (V. V. Mayakovsky Central City Public Library); special seminar “Information support of science and Education: Theory and practice” (National Library of Russia); and special seminar “The projects of the National Library of Russia in digitalization of the national cultural heritage” (Russian Academy of Science Library). The key topics and keynote papers are also discussed.

Ensuring the sustainable development of Russia in a dynamic, controversial and diverse world requires a creative approach on the part of library strategists who are aware of their responsibility for the preservation of cultural heritage and the future development of Russian civilization. Against the background of the creative activity of one of the brightest representatives of the cohort of modern library strategists, Yakov Leonidovich Shrayberg, the dynamics of library strategies in Russia is shown, including their origin, current state and problems of the strategy of the future. Strategy is defined as a prudently designed long-term program of organized action that ensures the effective use of available resources to achieve desired goals. The article considers the formation of the personality of a library strategist in the conditions of the State Public Library for Science and Technology of Russia, which includes two strategic goals: firstly, on the basis of information technologies, to actively promote the growth of the social significance of libraries, increase their contribution to the development of education, science and culture, to the formation of social harmony and political stability; secondly, the preservation of the traditional book and traditional library in the future based on their coexistence with electronic libraries. Depending on the semantic orientation, three types of strategies are distinguished: a) global, solving the problems of all mankind; b) national, covering regionally limited state and socio-ethnic issues; c) sectoral, focused on individual sectors of national production and culture. Relationships between library strategies and other global, national and sectoral strategies are shown. It is concluded that it is necessary to strengthen the humanistic orientation of library strategies.

The article is published on the jubilee of Yakov Leonidovich Shrayberg, prominent Russian library scientist. The most important episodes of his professional activities of the recent decade are discussed: establishing of the National Association “Libraries of the Future”, his change-over to the position of RNPLS&T Director for Research, publishing of the three-volume book “My friend Katya Genieva”, etc.

The article coincides with the jubilee of Yakov L. Shrayberg, a prominent Russian scientist, Doctor of Science in Engineering, Professor, Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, corresponding member of Russian Academy of Education, founder and president of the International Association of Users and Developers of Electronic Libraries and New Information Technologies (ELNIT Association) National Library Association “Libraries of the Future” (NALF). The author reviews various aspects of Dr. Shrayberg’s professional activities, in particular, development of International Library, Information and Analytical Center (ILIAC) in Russia and the USA, planning and orchestration of international scientific and practical conferences “Crimea” and LIBCOM, and, within their framework, the intellectual show game “What? Where? When? in Library, Information, Book and Publishing Space”, and authoring the memorial three-volume book “My friend Katya Genieva”, etc. The author recalls with warm feelings the milestones of his joint work with the celebrant and congratulates him on his birthday.

The paper deals with professional educational activities of Y. L. Shrayberg. The main attention is given to his contribution to the foundation and development of the Department of Information Technologies and Electronic Libraries at Moscow State Institute of Culture and the Department of Electronic Libraries and Scientometrics Research at Moscow State Linguistic University. The author notes the productivity of Y. L. Shrayberg’s educational and methodological work, his contribution to public activities as the deputy chair of Dissertation Committee at Moscow State Institute of Culture, his competence in research guidance to numerous PhD candidates whose work has formed the foundation of technological development in library and information field.
The author also mentions organizational and public outreach activities that Y. L. Shrayberg has inspired and created (“Crimea” international scientific and practical conference including its component, Scientific and Educational Symposium “Building and developing the modern digital environment for education and science”, NALF School and many others).