Today, the pace of transition to information society, based on information and knowledge, is accelerating. The authors emphasize the difference between digitization (conversion of analog information resources to digital formats) and digitalization (initial generation of information resources in digital formats). Digitalization has initiated the process of digital transformation (DT). The DT results in qualitative changes in economic and social infrastructure (which includes the library information sector), and public administration. The authors analyze the concept and vectors of digital transformation in libraries (DTL). The DTL achievements are assessed against the Stolyarov’s four-component library model that is still relevant. The digital transformation in libraries is the transformations in the library information sphere that make it to revise its activities conforming to the comprehensive digitalization paradigm. The authors discuss the key DTL components to characterize the transition of libraries to information society.

The authors developed the theory-grounded model of workflow organization for continuing professional library and information education in the digital educational environment. The model is to personalize professional’s learning in the context of digital transformation. The methods include system and andragogical approaches, analysis of domestic and foreign publications of 2019–2025, as well as expert discussions. The four-stage model is developed: 1) digital diagnostics of initial competences; 2) computerized compilation of personalized curriculum; 3) adaptive support of learning with LMS analytics and tutor supervision; 4) final verification of outcomes via digital portfolio. The model provides continuous feedback, decreases learning time and supports developing practice-oriented skills. The model implementation will enable to prepare librarians for working in the digital environment more efficiently. Its practical significance lies in its reproducibility in every sector of continuing professional education and its potential integration with the state information systems, which would enhance skills recognition in the labor market.

The author examines application of the retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technology to bibliographic processing of large unstructured philosophical texts as exemplified by Alexey S. Khomyakov’s “Semiramis”. She describes the principles of RAG system operation based on text semantic analysis and vector indexing that enables to extract relevant fragments promptly. The author also focuses on the challenges of processing “Semiramis”, hard-to-analyze threevolume uncompleted work without distinct topical structure. The paper comprises RAG and vector indexing description, as well as the findings of system testing on complex issues that demand intellectual analysis of the historiosophic content. The cited examples of the system responses demonstrate its ability to extract and classify arguments and ideas scattered within the text. The author concludes on the prospectivity of the method not only for Khomyakov’s legacy studies but also for other large-scale sources (diaries, memoirs, archival documents, etc.), hard to describe with traditional bibliographic methods. The paper makes the practical contribution to developing digital hermeneutics and demonstrates AI potential for the humanities research.

The authors offer the model of integration and classification of various formats of data related to the folk culture within academic digital information educational environment. In the case study of Moscow State Institute of Culture, they examine the objects and digital resources generated by the related departments (departments of folk culture, folk dance, folk musical instruments, folk singing art, design, and art and craft department). The highly heterogeneous data comprise texts, audio and video materials, graphics, music scores, 3D-models, and metainformation. As the methodological foundation, the authors propose the complex solution combining specialized ontology for semantic binding of heterogeneous objects, system architecture for long-term data preservation, and the model for their integration into the interactive 3D-space. The 3D-environment model, as a virtual museum or laboratory, enables to group and represent cultural objects by region or subject, and to visualize and enhance interdisciplinary ties. The novelty of the study is related to building Digital Information and Educational Environment (DIEE) model, integrated and adapted to the data specific character, i.e. folk culture and art. The study findings will be useful for digital heritage preservation, and improvement of research performance, and may be implemented into the learning process in the institutes of culture.

Systematic information background is an essential skill for humans in the digital era. The authors examine the evolution of the information literacy concept, and characterize IFLA and UNESCO efforts in developing information training. They generalize on the use of “media-information literacy” term in the two editions of UNESCO curriculum. The authors discuss the role of libraries in building AI (Artificial Intelligence) literacy. They analyze official websites of the national libraries in China, Indonesia and Australia to reveal the content of educating user information literacy and classify the website sections and headings related to information literacy content. The authors conclude that information literacy has ceased to be a set of technical skills and are transform into a strategic competence to be comprehensively developed by the libraries.

The sci-tech libraries (STL) are the key element of the infrastructure that supports research and synthesizes knowledge essential for the country’s technological development. The STL human resources make the critical factor of meeting the challenges of digital transformation and the strategy of technological sovereignty.

The purpose of the study is to identify the systemic problems of STL human resources, to analyze the system of professional education, retraining and advanced training, the challenges of employee retention and status of the profession, and to suggest solution vectors based on Russian and foreign experience. Based on the data provided by “Statistika” system of the RF Ministry of Culture, RNSPLS&T monitoring of STLs and STI centers, studies by Tomsk State University, All-Russian survey “Young employees in Russian libraries” by the Russian State Library for Young Adults, RF Labor Ministry (Rosstat, employment of graduates), All-Russian Employers Survey (“Jobs in Russia” Single Digital Platform), regional studies (Chelyabinsk, Perm, and Kemerovo regions, Republic of Sakha – Yakutia, Khabarovsk region), and analysis of international practices (IFLA) and CIS countries, the author concludes on the staffing crises in the libraries, on the whole, and STLs, in particular, i.e. prevailing senior-age employees, deficiency of specialized education, and low involvement in advanced professional training. The author reveals the need for specialists with traditional library competences combined with digital competences, knowledge of data analytics, project management, and soft skills. The key research and methodological centers of professional education are identified, i.e. Moscow State Institute of Culture, St. Petersburg State Institute of Culture, Kemerovo State Institute of Culture, developing the models of training STL staff, advanced training curricula, and prospective centers.

Professional guidance is a straight and effective way for job adaptation and education of a new employee. Many libraries apply this simple technique in many forms. To explore the status of professional situation in the libraries, its assessment and problem recognition, the study was completed in 2025. Two hundre Russian librarians were surveyed. The survey findings demonstrate that 100% respondents consider professional guidance to be essential for the new employee orientation. The respondents’ ideas of professional guidance, its advantages, functions, institutional organization, expected qualities of potential mentors, are revealed. The experience of respondents, both mentors and apprentices, is analyzed; their assessment of effectiveness of this professional and interpersonal interaction, is offered. The opinions on professional guidance axiologial significance, its role in values transfer and education of new librarians are obtained. The scientific novelty of the study is that it represents professional guidance as an element of the library’s corporate culture, based on the empirical data reflecting the views of the librarians of various professional experience. The findings will make the foundation for large-scale analysis, and enable to specify the further study road map. In practical dimension, they may enhance management decisions on library professional guidance.

The reviewer analizes the collection of essays by Valery P. Leonov under the title “Meditating on the library” [In Russian; “Vdumyvayas v biblioteku”]. The reviewer considers the publication to becomes a significant event for the library world which is determined by Leonov’s outstanding personality and the depth of his insight. This publication is a comprehensive panorama of the library phenomenon with its societal and cultural value. In the era of information chaos and digital overloading, Valery Leonov suggests the concept of the library as a consistent system introducing order into the boundless book universe and effectively resisting knowledge entropy. The book is a kind of intellectual challenge of reconsidering traditional ideas of the library in the modern society. V. Leonov examines fundamental problems of cultural heritage preservation, information access and building nation’s intellectual potential. Its insights, originality and relevance will make it an essential companion for the librarians, researchers, faculty and everyone who is connected with books and librarianship in the 21^st century.

The researchers examine the phenomenon of “literary slavery”, i. e. writing fiction and science fiction by order, under the name of a client without citing the name of real author. The researchers conclude that in the Russian Federation, the ghost writers’ rights are completely protected by the national copyright law.

The contracts between ordering customer and author of literary (science fiction) work that provide for actual abandonment of authorship and confidentiality, are void. With solid evidence, a hypothetical case of crediting literary scribe for the work published under the name of other person is highly likely to be won by the executor. There is a belief among the ghost authors and their patrons that the binding contract they sign to transfer the exclusive rights to the work and provisions for absolute confidentiality, will insure against any risks. Besides, there is a belief, that the literary scribe would lost his or her professional reputation if resort to court or otherwise disclose the true authorship. This is partially true: the terms of this specific market suit the two parties and violation a status-quo is equally disadvantageous to both parties. At the same time, the extant Russian laws interpret the situation of literary slavery against the customers of these intellectual services.

The article is dedicated to the memory of Tatiana B. Lovkova (1957–2026), Cand. Sc. in Pedagogy, Associate Professor of Library Science and Reading Theory Department of St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts; her career, professional and scientific journey are characterized.