LIBRARY CENSORSHIP IN THE USSR AT THE TURN OF 1950–1960s (adapted from Penza Region)

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to study the mechanism for implementing the censorship and library policy of the Soviet state on the example of mass libraries of the Penza region in the late 1950s – early 1960s. Materials and methods. The tasks of the Internet were implemented by analyzing and summarizing the documents of the State Archive of the Penza Region (Fund R-2357 – Department of Culture of the Penza Oblast Executive Committee). The work uses methods: historical-genetic, historical-comparative. Results of the study. The article describes the regulatory framework that re-regulates the process of purging library book collections from outdated and politically harmful literature (Instructions of the USSR Ministry of Culture of September 16, 1955 and February 2, 1960, Bibliographic decrees-smolders of outdated publications, Summary lists, etc.), explaining the criteria for classifying publications as «outdated and politically harmful letter-tours». The determination of the work of cultural institutions, including libraries, in general, the configuration of library funds, in particular, political, economic, socio-cultural conditions in the state, a specific international and domestic political situation (for example, the Twentieth Congress of the CPSU, the speech of the «anti-party group», etc.). Attention is paid to the activities of the Penza Regional Department for the Protection of Military and State Secrets in the press for the withdrawal of outdated and politically harmful literature from book funds, a round of quarterly and annual reports of Obllit is disclosed. On the basis of unreleased archive documents, the practice of the Department of Culture of the Penza Regional Committee for the Implementation of Soviet Censorship and Library Policy was studied. According to the work of the regional (in the Department of Culture of the Penza Regional Executive Committee), paradise and city (in the departments of culture) commissions to write off an outdated theater, visits of commission members and local inspections. The state of book funds of urban, district and rural mass libraries of the Penza region was studied for the presence of literature subject to withdrawal from mass circulation; statistics are provided on the «blockage» of book collections of mass libraries of the region. Examples of administrative and disciplinary penalties are given, which were imposed on library workers, mainly managers, for non-compliance with directives on clearing book funds of outdated literature and issuing publications to readers that were subject to seizure. Conclusions. Consideration of the content and methods of library and censorship practice made it possible to identify the features of the exercise of censorship functions in relation to mass libraries at the regional level; determine the vector of subsequent research on the scientific problem.