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 has the funniest detective novels by which author. It seems that libraries are dying along with paper books. But no. On May 27th, Russia celebrates the Day of the Librarian. It is not a tribute to the past, but an acknowledgment: without them, our knowledge would have turned into chaos.

When and why May 27th

The Day of the Librarian 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 Saint 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 handed out, 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 27th is the main library day in Russia.

Who is a librarian today

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

In rural libraries, a librarian is also a psychologist, a culturist, 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 out of vocation. For love of books and people.

How the Day of the Librarian is celebrated

Each library has its own way. At the Russian State Library (formerly "Leninka") in Moscow, an Open Day is held. 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, awards for the best employees. Often invite local writers, poets, local historians. In schools, children draw portraits of librarians and give them cards.

In social networks, the flashmob #thankyoulibrarian. People post photos with books and thank their beloved 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 particularly popular. Librarians show ancient manuscripts, miniatures, maps.

What is the library useful for in the era 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 been checked by an editor, a proofreader, a 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 is access to rare and expensive books. Not everyone can buy an encyclopedia for 50 thousand rubles. Take for free — yes.

The library is a platform for communication. Clubs of interest, lectures, meetings with writers. The librarian gathers people, creates a community.

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

How to congratulate a librarian

Come to the library on May 27th with flowers. You don't need a bouquet that takes up half the 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 certificate to a bookstore. Or just a box of chocolates — no one turns down tea in the library.

Don't give: money in envelopes (awkward), alcohol (ethically questionable?), souvenirs with the inscription "To a librarian" (it's like "To the best chef" — generic). 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. New releases are bought little. The librarian has to explain to readers: "I'm sorry, this book is not available, but there is a similar one."

The second is repairs. 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, normal computers, scanners.

The fourth is personnel. Young people are not going into 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.

The Day of the Librarian is an opportunity to remind officials: libraries are needed. They need financial support.

Star librarians

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 library card, opened a co-working space, revived the lecture hall.

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

In villages, there are heroines-librarians like Galina Nikolaeva from the village of Verkhnyaya Troitsa (Tver region). She has been running a children's club for 40 years, collecting folklore, organizing summer camps. There is no money in her library, 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.

Day of the Librarian 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 with a choice.

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

Children give librarians crafts: appliqués, 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 27th. 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 keeper" and more "guide in the world of information." Librarians will consult on digital hygiene, teach to search for verified information, help with genealogical research.

There will be "library laboratories" — with 3D printers, sound 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, it is needed more than ever.

Conclusion: thank you, guardians

On May 27, 2026, go to the library. Not for books — for people. Look into the librarian's eyes. Say: "You have an important job. Thank you." And perhaps you will see how his eyes shine. 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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