The article is devoted to the history and current projects of the Centre for Social and Political History, a branch of the State Public Historical Library of Russia. It tells about its holdings and the most significant events (including the traditional international scientific conference “Ryazanov Readings”), about various forms of work with youth and student audiences (exhibition and information), as well as about the presentation and disclosure in bibliographic publications of the most significant collections to preserve the memory of the latest period of Russian history (including in the field of social and political movements).

The authors of the article provide the main statistical indicators of the Russian printed periodicals output in the first half of 2024, analyzing the current state and trends in the development of this sphere in Russia. 9 tables with comments give an idea of the number of printed newspapers (6129), journals and magazines (5385), their circulation (1,6 billion copies of newspapers, 295 million copies of journal and magazines) and topics. Special attention is paid to the geography of periodicals. Moscow holds a leading position in the field of journal and magazine publishing (42,5% of the total number of titles and 64% of the national circulation), things are somewhat different with newspapers (54% of the total circulation), and their share of titles is only about 7% of the total mass.

The bibliographic reference book “Materials Published in the Journal “Soil Science” for 100 Years” (1999) is a unique information resource. Currently, the directorate of the Institute of Physico-Chemical and Biological Problems of Soil Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences has decided to prepare a continuation (for the period from 1999 to 2023). One of the main problems is the development of subject headings for the most optimal reflection of the journalʼs materials in this handbook, since topical issues of the development of both soil science itself and related branches of knowledge have changed a lot over the past decades (especially in a number of complex problems). The author also emphasizes the need to radically redesign the main headings of the subject and thematic index. The article discusses the possibilities of using formalized assessment methods for evaluation of document flows.

A brief overview of the exhibition “History of the Academy of Sciences in Reference Publications: To the 300th Anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, launched in the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences in February 2024, is given. The characteristics (with examples) of the main types of reference publications are given: official reference books, encyclopedias, language dictionaries, reference books for various purposes, biographical and bio-bibliographic dictionaries, while the nature of information in reference publications varies from ordinary to purely scientific. The presented reference manuals are indicators of the level of development of Russian science, reflect the need of scientists to summarize the results of research and bring (in a concise form) these results to the scientific community. As the history of the scientific book shows, reference publications are also evidence of the completion of a certain stage of scientific research, which gives them special value.

The article presents the publication of 31 letters for 1910—1914 by the famous bibliophile and bibliographer D.V. Ulyaninsky (1861—1918), addressed to a prominent figure of provincial culture, local historian, zoologist, porcelain collector, bibliophile and bibliographer A.V. Selivanov (1851—1915). They are kept in the State Archive of the Ryazan region. The letters contain new information about the mutual book donations of two bibliophiles, the process of clarifying bibliographic information, and D.V. Ulyaninsky’s attempt to buy part of the library of A.V. Selivanov. They also discussed the possibility of acquiring prints and rare editions from the legacy of the artist-engraver I.P. Pozhalostin (1837—1909), who lived in Ryazan. Of particular interest are the characteristics of the Moscow market of stationery and bookbinding.

The article analyzes information about collections of rarities exported from the Soviet Russia abroad in the 1920s and 1930s in connection with the sale of its most valuable collections.The focus of attention is on information from a rare American reference book published by Norman Ross Publishing Inc. in 1999 and containing information about the history of replenishment of the book collections of the Hoover Institution, Harvard University, the New York Public Library and the Library of Congress. For the history of Russian book culture, it is important that among the 639 bibliographic descriptions there are about 300 items of storage that previously belonged to the library collection of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, whose own library after 1881 merged with the library of his father, Emperor Alexander II.

Based on archival sources, the article for the first time covers in detail the activities of corresponding member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences Fyodor Petrovich Köppen (1833—1908) as a head of the Natural Science Department of the Imperial Public Library, which he headed for more than 35 years. F.P. Köppen’s penchant for systematization, natural meticulousness, accuracy and precision (as well as experience in bibliographic and library work) contributed to increasing the authority of this department (at that time it became one of the leading ones in the library). The participation of F.P. Köppen in replenishing the collections with new publications is disclosed in detail, his role in restocking, as well as in improving the systematic catalogue of natural and exact sciences is noted.

The article outlines B.S. Bodnarskyʼs views on the problems of bibliographic registration in the “Book Chronicle” on the basis of archival documents from the Department of Manuscripts of the Russian State Library. The role of B.S. Bodnarsky, who in the early 1920s was actually the most authoritative scientist in the field of state bibliography, in the organization of the Russian Central Book Chamber in Moscow (he headed its first board, and he is often called the “first director” of the chamber), is highlighted. The article presents unique information about the attempt to create a Russian Bibliographic Institute, which unfortunately did not receive a real embodiment (1921—1922). It is emphasized that for several decades B.S. Bodnarsky was a member of the Academic Council of the Book Chamber, repeatedly participated in the discussion of its publishing activities, theoretical and practical issues of its work, as well as the organization of the bibliographic courses.

The bibliographic review of Russian literature on the history of book trade in Russia in the 19th — early 20th centuries continues the series of bibliographic indexes created in the State Public (Russian National) Library and covers the last 15 years. The article presents an analysis of modern literature by research genres and content. The authors study the book trade of the specified period in the capitals and in certain regions, paying attention to the peculiarities of the socio-economic development of the administrative divisions of the Russian Empire, namely, the development of industry, transport, postal communication, the availability of educational institutions, libraries, printing houses. In the field of view of book historians are the types of book trade, bookselling assortment, departmental book distribution, commission and publishing activities of bookstore owners, censorship control. The scientific activity of book historians demonstrates the steady interest of researchers in the domestic book trade and, more broadly– book culture of the period under consideration.

The review of the monograph by E.M. Lbova “Russian Book in France (1900— 1930s)”, issued by the publishing house of the State Public Scientific and Technical Library of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (2022), is presented. This edition is a generalizing work on the history of the existence of the Russian book in France in the first third of the 20 century. It tells about the numerous publishing houses, libraries, bookstores that were created by our compatriots in Paris and other French cities. It is concluded that the multifaceted Russian-French contacts contributed to the emergence of publications, the best examples of which are now the cultural heritage of our country.

The review examines the materials of the memorial round table held at the Scientific and Publishing Center “Nauka” of the Russian Academy of Sciences on May 29, 2024, promptly released based on its results. The event was dedicated to the memory of the famous historian of mathematics and bibliologist, Professor, Doctor of Historical Sciences Rem Alexandrovich Simonov (1929—2023). The scientific and historiographical value of the reviewed publication is shown, the question is raised about the need to prepare and publish a detailed biography (as well as a bibliography) of R.A. Simonov, the materials for which have already been partially collected.