Wow…what a day! Today
was one of the busiest days since we have been in St Petersburg. The day began with a trip on the metro
followed by a stroll to the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library (http://www.prlib.ru/en-us/Pages/Default.aspx
).
Let me start by saying this building is the most technologically advanced
building we have seen in Russia and it gives the most secure buildings in the US
a run for its money! After having all
our documentation thoroughly checked AND we finally received the proper
security clearance to enter, we got an amazing glimpse at this sparkling
gem!
The Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library is a very new facility;
it officially opened its doors on May 27, 2009.
May 27 is a significant date and was chosen to open the new Presidential
Library because it is also the birthday of St Petersburg and a holiday called
All Russian Library Day. What better day
to open a brand new state of the art facility.
In April 2007, Russian former President Boris Yeltsin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Yeltsin
) died and the library was then named in his honor. It is the third National Library we have seen
so far in Russia over the last two weeks.
This library is much different than any of the others that we
have visited so far. There was no real
collection for us to examine this time. The
collection exists only virtually. There
are many rare books and archived documents, periodicals from the pre-revolutionary
and Soviet periods, photographs and important government documents concerning
the history of Russia in the collection.
But in order to view them, you have to use modern technology. The main goal of this library is to collect
documents related to Russia and the Russian government. Using different library’s collections, the Presidential
can then digitize these items for their own virtual collection.
And that is where this building gets amazing. The Electronic Reading Room allows readers to
view the library’s collection….in 3D! Sorry,
we couldn’t take any photos of this. A very
life like re-creation of a book was on the large screen for our
demonstration. The virtual image could
be rotated in any direction and page turning simulations made it appear as if
you were actually reading the book.
Take a look at some of these pictures to see some of the other
state of the art features at this facility.
The incredible area where conferences, delegations and other special dignitaries can conduct meetings.
The Exhibit Halls of the future.... where interactive documents are place up virtually on a screen. Technology allows you to turn a page with the swipe of a hand. All this while the original document is displayed in an environmentally controlled close, so no damage can happen to the item. This is the best of both worlds...the ability to see and interact with a document without ever having to touch it.
A very regal, formal meeting room!
The Training area features state of the art tools to help you
learn, right at the tips of your fingers.
A great room to hold meetings with all the technology you
could every need.
After lunch at the Presidential Library with staff members, we
said Goodbye and began our journey to the nearby A.S. Pushkin Children Library (http://www.pushkinlib.spb.ru/eng/
). In the City of St Petersburg, there
are 60 children’s libraries, with every district having several branches. The
one we toured was the central branch.
The central branch was established in 1921 and has moved many times
until the 1970’s when it began operating at its current location.
The library offers many services to young readers, including
books that can be checked out for up to two months, various programs and
activities for children. There are three
main “directions” of the library; 1) education 2) legal consultations and
lectures for children and adults and 3) working with orphanages.
But there are also some stark differences too. The libraries do not conduct story times,
they will do “readings” at special events but not regularly scheduled story times. There seems to be a smaller selection of
books and fewer services offered for children not already in school. To me it seems there is more opportunity for
the library to reach out to the youngest children in each community and offer more
reasons for them to visit.
There were also some awesome things that the Puskin Children’s
Library had that I wished we had too!
Like a robot!!
Or an interactive globe from America http://www.globalimagination.com/ !
Or a collection of mini books!
Even though there were some differences in the way we conduct
our business, libraries in the US and in St Petersburg want to make the Library
a place where every child can feel welcome, fall in love with libraries and
become lifelong learners.
After we finished up the tour at the A.S. Pushkin Children’s
Library (They were gracious enough to spend an hour longer than they planned answering
all our questions), the majority of us wanted to visit the world famous St Isaac’s
Cathedral (http://eng.cathedral.ru/ )
and soak up some of its heritage and beauty.
The Cathedral features two areas where you can tour, the museum and the Colonnade. The museum is filled with beautiful art, sculptures
and religious treasures all in an amazing marvel of architecture. Viewing the inside of St Isaacs is a real
treat. Take a look:
But then your visit is not over. You must see the City of St Petersburg from
high up on the Colonnade walkway that surrounds the large dome. Breathtaking views abound from all
directions:
Another great day in St Petersburg comes to a close! But first
you need to have dinner in the Soviet Café
And no evening is complete with a little dessert (and French fries)
from the Awesome Burger King in St Petersburg!
