The Collections and Catalog of Officer’s Library of the Staff of Trans-Amur Military District of the Separate Corps of Frontier Guards before the First World War

Abstract

The high priority of studying the library collections and reading circle of frontier guards is stipulated by the important role that libraries play in organization leisure time for this category of military servicemen, whose service often takes place in so called “bear corners”, outside of civilization. In connection with the absence of publications on the history of Officer’s Library of the Staff of Trans-Amur Military District of the Separate Corps of Frontier Guards the presented article for the first time gives careful consideration its collection, acquisition of books and periodicals for different departments and underdepartments by January 1, 1911. The results obtained show that the catalog in a bibliographic sense has been prepared professionally. The book collection of the library contributed to the professional development of guards and solution of their official tasks, as well as to the organization of cultural leisure activities. The owner of the catalog served as the base for an analysis of this collection is clearly defined. The editions prepared by the Staff of the District and later presented in the book catalog are specially identified. The fulfilled investigation broadens and advances the understanding of this library, its collection specific features and also of publishing activities of the Staff of District and its participation in book holdings acquisition.