There is a profession that stands on three pillars: love for books, patience, and silence. A librarian. A person who knows where "War and Peace" is located and who wrote the funniest detective novels. It seems that libraries are dying along with paper books. But no. On May 27, Russia celebrates Library Day. And this is not a tribute to the past, but an acknowledgment: without them, our knowledge would turn into chaos.

When and why May 27

Library Day in Russia is an unofficial holiday. It appeared in 1995 on the initiative of President Boris Yeltsin. The date is timed to the foundation of the first state library in Russia — the Imperial Public Library (now the Russian National Library in St. Petersburg). It was opened on May 27, 1795.

In 2026, the holiday falls on a Wednesday. On this day, librarians are greeted by colleagues, readers, and writers. Awards, prizes, flowers are presented, and of course, books.

There is also a professional holiday for school librarians (October 24) and an international one (Library Day — October 24). But May 27 is the main library day in Russia.

Who is a librarian today

Stereotype: an elderly woman in glasses, shouting at visitors. Reality: a librarian is a knowledge manager. He knows how to work with databases, organizes lectures, quests, interest clubs. He knows modern literature, computer programs. Often has two educations — library and pedagogical or IT.

In rural libraries, the librarian is also a psychologist, a culturologist, and a volunteer. He helps pensioners fill out forms, conducts lessons for children, organizes poetry evenings. In large scientific libraries, he is a bibliographer-scientist, fluent in several languages.

Unfortunately, the salary is not high. The average in Russia is 20-30 thousand rubles. Therefore, librarians work for a calling. For love of books and people.

How Library Day is celebrated

Each library celebrates in its own way. At the Russian State Library (formerly "Leninka") in Moscow, they hold an Open Day. They show the book storage — 42 million items. The tour lasts 2 hours, the queues are huge.

In regional libraries, there are concerts of amateur performances, tea parties, awarding of the best staff. Often invite local writers, poets, regionalists. In schools, children draw portraits of librarians and give them cards.

On social media, the flashmob #thankyoulibrarian. People post photos with books and thank their favorite librarians. Some remember how they took a dinosaur book as a child and how the librarian recommended the best one.

In 2026, online tours of rare collections are especially popular. Librarians show ancient manuscripts, miniatures, maps.

What is the library useful for in the age of the internet

The internet provides information. The library provides knowledge. There is a lot of garbage, fakes, unedited text on the internet. In the library, books have passed the editor, proofreader, reviewer. This is more reliable.

The library is a quiet place to work. Many freelancers and students go there to concentrate. There is no noise from cafes, no temptation to turn on the TV.

The library provides access to rare and expensive books. Not everyone can buy an encyclopedia for 50 thousand rubles. Take it for free — yes.

The library is a platform for communication. Interest clubs, lectures, meetings with writers. The librarian brings people together, creates a community.

Finally, the library is digitization. Many libraries are transferring their collections to electronic form, creating open databases. The librarian manages this process.

How to congratulate a librarian

Come to the library on May 27 with flowers. You don't need a bouquet on half a table — simple daisies or chrysanthemums. Say warm words: "Thank you for your work, you are preserving culture." If you can't come, write an email or leave a note in the guestbook.

Give a book. But not any, a good edition that the librarian would like to read. Or give a subscription to a professional journal. Or a gift certificate to a bookstore. Or just a box of chocolates — no one refuses tea in the library.

Don't give: money in envelopes (uncomfortable), alcohol (ethically?), souvenirs with the inscription "librarian" (this is like "the best chef" — faceless). Better sincerity.

If you are a writer or an artist, give your book with an autograph. It is invaluable.

Problems of modern libraries

The first is aging. The collections of many libraries have not been updated for years. Books from the 1990s with yellowed pages. Novelties are bought little. The librarian has to explain to readers: "Sorry, this book is not available, but there is a similar one."

The second is repair. Buildings leak, roofs leak, windows are drafty. In rural libraries, it is cold in winter. The third is computerization. Not everyone has high-speed internet, good computers, scanners.

The fourth is personnel. Young people do not go to libraries because of the salary. The average age of a librarian is 55. The fifth is bureaucracy. Librarians spend half their time on reports, plans, filling out forms.

Library Day is an opportunity to remind officials: libraries are needed. They need financial support.

Library stars

There are famous librarians in Russia. For example, Mikhail Afanasyev, the director of the RSL. He turned "Leninka" into a modern cultural center. Introduced an electronic reader's card, opened a co-working space, revived the lecture hall.

In St. Petersburg, Alexander Alekseev, a librarian from the Public Library. He compiled a digital catalog of ancient manuscripts, now anyone can view them online.

In villages, heroines-librarians, such as Galina Nikolaeva from the village of Verkhnyaya Troitsa (Tver Oblast). She has been running a children's circle for 40 years, collecting folklore, organizing summer camps. Her library has no money, but there is love.

In the United States, there is a librarian-blogger Nancy Pearl. She created the "Book List" project and became the voice of American libraries. In Russia, such a person does not yet exist.

Library Day for children

Children's librarians are a special people. They remember the names of all readers, know who likes adventures and who likes science fiction. They can calm a crying child, help choose a book.

On Library Day, children's libraries hold festive readings. The librarian reads a funny book aloud, and the children draw illustrations. Or they hold "library evenings" — parties in the library with flashlights, shadows, riddles.

Children give librarians crafts: collages, drawings, wreaths of paper flowers. To a librarian, this is more valuable than any gift.

If your child goes to the library, let him draw a card on May 27 or learn a poem. The librarian will be pleased.

The future of the profession

The librarian will not disappear. He will transform. There will be fewer "book guardians" and more "guides in the world of information". Librarians will consult on digital hygiene, teach to find verified information, help with genealogical research.

"Library laboratories" will appear — with 3D printers, recording studios, workshops. The librarian will become a curator of creative projects.

But the most important thing will remain unchanged: the librarian is respect for the book and the reader. This is a quiet service to knowledge. In the era of fake news, this is needed more than ever.

Conclusion: thank you, guardians

On May 27, 2026, come to the library. Not for books — for people. Look into the librarian's eyes. Say: "You have an important job. Thank you." Perhaps you will see how his eyes light up. Because librarians are rarely thanked. And they deserve it.

Books will not die. As long as there are those who keep them.

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