The author examines the chronological structure of bibliographic references to scholarly publications in the Web of Science (WoS) journals, in the context of using bibliometric methods in library (for specifying terms of collection acquisitions and preservation) and information practices. Seven thematic domains (WoS’ Subject Areas) within the natural sciences are discussed. The specifics of publication «aging» (citation decrease in proportion to the distance from the publication date) depends on their subject area and country. The determinant para-meters are: time period (from the publication date) to the maximum yearly citation value, ramp time (stabilizing yearly citation), yearly citation level (percent of maximum level), dynamics of citation timetable in the long term (up to 40 years). The author demonstrates that the shape of citation graph depends on the subject area and virtually does not depend on the country of publication.

In six of seven subject areas (mathematics excluding), time of achieving maximum of yearly citation makes 2–4 years. Ramp time period (constant yearly citation level) differs greatly (from 8 to 23 years). Ramp level differs greatly for different subject areas and, within one domain, for the countries from 12% to 63% of maximum yearly citation. The secondary citation is observed in many subject areas at the end of observation period. This phenomenon needs further research. The chronological structure of bibliographic references for Mmathematics differs significantly from the other six subject areas: the y early citation rises a long the longer period (over 40 years); however, the dynamics of citation graph cannot be observed due to the limited time period of the study.

For today, the RNPLS&T’s single network of classifications comprises four classification systems, i. e. State Rubicator of Sci-tech Information (GRNTI, version 2021) as the network foundation and core of the State System of Sci-tech Information, UDC (UDC tables in Russian), Classification Codes of the Higher Attestation Commission, WoS categories and subject areas, and international OECD classification. The semantic matches between the GRNTI headings and codes of the other classifications are defined as logical matching relations, extension inclusion and overlapping including that of key terms and word combinations used for indexing the thematic subject. Three types of semantic relations are determined: equivalency, hierarchy, and association. The statistics of matches in hierarchical levels of GRNTI thematic sections are cited. Based on the statistical analysis, the principal type of semantic matches is identified, along with the largest ratios for every type of relations for each of the classification under examination. The functional options for the single networked headings as the system of interrelated classifications of science objects are demonstrated as exemplified by crossrubrication of subject areas within the Critical Technologies List.

The authors analyze the identified research and real-case publications on the critical problem: the libraries’ role as a social institution non-corresponding to the mission being conferred on them and its implementation. The purpose of the article is to actualize the problem related to the libraries’ role as a social institution and to attract attention of researchers in various domains, evoking interest to building professional competences in the specialists of social and cultural areas, including libraries. The authors suggest to develop management standards for the social institution of libraries to improve the quality of library services. The uniqueness of the study lies in the general analytical and comparative methods applied to existing standards, laws and conceptual documents for the institutions of culture. The researchers use competitive and systems methodological approaches. The empirical data of revealed sources are obtained through the methods of comparative analysis and systems analysis. The originality of the article is that the role of libraries is specified as a social institution going through transformation and intensive digitalization. The key functions of many social institutions (educational, cultural, families, etc.) are deflecting; their missions and roles are changing and being lost. On one hand, this is due to the chaos and inconsistency of transformation processes, and on the other hand, due to weakening control system and strengthening management system in business and economical processes. Today, despite the national programs, the problems of social systems affect economics, finances, ecology, etc.

The current socioeconomic situation of transformation and intensive digitalization in every sphere of the Russian society, calls for regulated functions of social systems and their components. The analysis findings demonstrate that the libraries as a social institution have been losing their mission, while random and chaotic transformation processes result in imbalance and do harm. The social institutions depreciate the libraries’ implementing social functions which is evidenced by the analysis of legal and regulatory and conceptual acts in the cultural and social sphere. One of the solutions is to strengthen management of the libraries as a social institution and improving expertise of librarians.

Currently, one can observe active use of electronic resources by teachers at various teaching stages, on all levels of basic education. I n this work, the authors review an electronic library available on the «Moscow Electronic School» website. The article reveals the potential of using electronic network resources of the Moscow Electronic School project for the self-development of students, provides examples of the use of such resources in the educational process, gives a brief overview of scientific literature on this topic, describes the results of experience with the electronic library. It all allows the authors to talk about the efficiency of using such resources, both in Russia and abroad, namely, to state an increase in the level of activity and the quality of educational material assimilation. Electronic libraries are of great importance to the interactive learning process. As another result of the study, the authors note an increase in the level of educational motivation. Thus, we can say that the resources of modern electronic libraries offer a significant potential for the development of necessary skills, abilities and knowledge in students.

Theoretical, regulative and organizational foundations for developing e-libraries are discussed along with the experience of their operation in educational systems in Russia and worldwide. The author defines the digital (electronic) library of an educational institution as the integrated organizational, software and technological tools to support educational activities, computerize key library and information processes, integrated at the level of user data with library and information services within the e-libraries and public libraries, digital educational resources and platforms.

When building the model of digital (electronic) library, educational organizations are recommended to apply service-based approach so to structurize the list of services of information acquisition, processing, storage, representation and delivery to library users, e. g. students, pedagogues, parents and administrators. The minimum requirements, including these used in the related information systems, to data within the service-based model are determined; the repertory of analytical digital services for assessing, forecasting and modelling of educational activities, is suggested. These approaches are efficient in digital transformation of libraries and building of digital (electronic) libraries within the structure of educational environment.

The draft Presidential Decree on the fundamentals of state policy for the preservation and strengthening of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, put out by Likhachev Russian Research Institute for Cultural and Natural Heritage in January 2022, for public consideration, was analyzed. Based on the ancient cult of the book as a sacred revelation, the book culture is understood as a creative and communication activity of human society carried out in the book form through symbols. In the history of Russian civilization, the book culture has acquired the status of traditional national value and productive force that ensures the development of material, spiritual and humanistic culture. The technocratic society of the twentieth century is at risk of self-destruction. Risks such as environmental crisis (environmental pollution, climate change), biological mutations (viral pandemic, genetic degradation), technological accidents (computer program failure, nuclear facility collapse), geopolitical follies (arms race, terrorism, aggressive globalization, loss of national identity and sovereignty, genocide, fanaticism), and many other anthropogenic threats have acquired global proportions. Successful opposition to dangerous technogenic risks is possible only if we rely on the humanistic book and library traditions. The conclusion is made on the expediency of the need to develop a scientifically and practically sound state strategy for humanistic book culture in modern Russia.

The purpose of the article is to introduce new approach to explicate the term of «book». It implicates inter- and transdisciplinary study of accumulated knowledge on the book theory, combined basic schemes and terminological systems in the book theory, documentology and related areas, identification of conflicts and their elimination. The author suggests to use widely the documentoriented terms introduced by Yury N. Stolyarov and Galina N. Shvetsova-Vodka; differentiated modelling and typological classification of documents and other objects to deliver social information to the society; and convergence of their typological and ontological features. These would provide for the unity of theoretical and ontological knowledge but also of taxon and metrological and structural aspects of their theorization. The result of the study is that the «book» term is defined as an astadial unit of activities to provide social information to the society. The book is an information product, significant in its semiotic value and embodied in the form of scrolls, blocks of bound pages, laser, optical discs, records, digital devices for reading, etc.: intended for reading (listening or tactile sensing) and fulfills the function of transmitting knowledge and other semantic content to addressees.

The article is published to celebrate the jubilee of Yulia P. Melentyeva. The author examines the stages of her life and professional career, beginning from her study at Moscow Library College and Moscow State Institute of Culture. The factors that influenced the choice of library profession are mentioned. Melentyeva's contribution to the national library science is emphasized.