“Continuing Library and Information Education” – the Conference inspired by Valentina A. Minkina, or On the role of the individual in history

Abstract

In March, 2021, Valentina A. Minkina would turn eighty. Valentina A. Minkina is a prominent scientist, doctor of pedagogy, Professor of Information Management Department that she headed from 1991 to 2004. In memory of Valentina Minkina, the Library and Information Faculty of Saint-Petersburg State Institute of Culture holds the annual International Scientific and Methodological Conference “Continuing LIS Education”. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many professional events had to move to online or were deferred to a later date, and this conference, too. It is hard to overestimate the contribution of Valentina Minkina made to the library science. The authors review in brief her research efforts as the leader of the library scientific school and a wonderful mentor. The authors also review the origins and development of the conference. Among other library professional forums, the conference is unique as it focuses on professional education and training staff for libraries and information organizations, which is due not in no small way to Minkina’s ideas and the faculty’s traditions. The most significant publications in the periodicals on the conference are listed.