The Birth of Bibliologos. To the 100th Anniversary of the Institute of Book Studies

Abstract

M.N. Kolesnikova’s monograph “Ahead of Time. To the 100th Anniversary of the Institute of Book Studies (Petrograd-Leningrad, 1920—1933)”, published in 2020, is a valuable contribution to the history of book science, library science, bibliography science, the general history of Russian culture and a fascinating textbook for students of library, information and media cultural school. The history of the Institute of Book Studies is a vivid illustration of the relationship between the totalitarian power and the creative intelligentsia. The monograph, which contains detailed biographical information about the employees of the Institute of Book Studies, can be called a reference book of library science and book science elite of Leningrad in the 1920s. All the classic problems of bibliography science, library science and book science were in the field of view of the staff of the Institute of Book Studies. Considering the constructive program of activities and the strong team of enthusiasts, the Institute could have grown into a truly research institution if the overall development of the country had gone differently.Based on the analysis of the scientific-research and educational activities of the Institute, it is concluded that it can be considered the birthplace of the Russian Bibliologos. Bibliologos is interpreted in two ways: first, as a social group of intellectuals-book lovers who ensure the functioning of the national bibliosphere; second, as a universe of bibliological knowledge embodied in book form as a result of scientific, pedagogical and practical activities of intellectuals-book lovers. The author highlights that it is necessary to preserve the memory of the Leningrad Institute of Book Studies, which served as the “cradle of the Russian Bibliologos” in the history of book culture.