All-Russian Library Congress 2025 “Victory. Stronger Together”

All-Russian Library Congress: The 29th Annual Conference of the Russian Library Association (RLA) was hosted on May 26—29, 2025 in Izhevsk. Its theme, “Victory. Stronger Together,” reflected the importance of libraries as centers of patriotic education, preservation of cultural heritage, and information and educational activities. For the first time, the RLA Congress was held in the format of thematic tracks reflecting the development directions of the country’s libraries, outlined in the “Strategy for the Development of Librarianship in the Russian Federation for the Period up to 2030.” The following tracks were organized: “A Modern Library in Demand as a Strategic Resource of the State,” “Library Collection as a National Heritage: Development and Preservation,” “Information Services for Users in the Digital Age: Resources, Methods, Tools,” “Digital Reboot: New Reality of Library Practice,” “Library Personnel Policy. How to Raise a Good Specialist”, “Scientific and Methodological Support for Library Activities”, “How to Raise a Generation of Winners: The Library in the System of Patriotic and Civic Education of Children and Youth”. The RLA Congress in Izhevsk brought together almost 1,200 representatives of the library industry from 78 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as specialists from foreign countries. For the first time, a delegation of heads of the largest scientific and university libraries in India took part in its work. The business program included special events and international discussion platforms. The School of the Restorer, the School of the Cataloger, the School of the Library Blogger and the School of the Acquisitions Librarian were conducted. The Day of Libraries of the Volga Federal District was held. A special event was organized: “Spiritual and Moral Values of Russian Culture: National and International Levels”, an open discussion panel “Modern University Library: Models, Contents, Services”, a round table “New Roles for New Times: Russian Libraries as a Humanitarian and Information Mobilization Resource of a Special Military Operation”, a round table of military libraries, a case laboratory “Cultural Heritage and Its Development by New Generations. The Role of Libraries”, as well as a mobile laboratory “Studying Reading”. A significant event was the approval of a new version of the RLA Charter, which reflects both legislative innovations concerning the activities of non-profit organizations and the active role of the RLA as the largest professional association. The topics of various events of the RLA Congress covered a wide range of current issues facing not only libraries, but also all of Russian and world culture and science. Participants discussed the digitalization of libraries, information services for users, the work of cultural institutions during a special military operation, and many other issues. The RLA confirmed its readiness to engage in solving problems and achieving the goals outlined in the country’s strategic documents.