Friday April 24 - Minsk

Friday, April 24. After breakfast met at hotel by Anna Neginskaia, who takes us to the University library via Metro. When we ask about where vendors usually operate on the street selling publications, she responds that we are there. In short, the level of street activity in Minsk is generally much lower than in frenetic Moscow. The meeting is a shorter version of the one the previous day at the National Library. One interesting fact that is mentioned is that university libraries such as this one were expected to keep one copy per student of many of the texts that the students use (standard Soviet practice, apparently). It is unclear how long this will continue, but the way the library operates will change greatly if it does. Raisa Pustakhod, the deputy director, also describes their automation efforts--which are taking place with no consultation or cooperation with either the National Library or the Academy of Sciences Library. There is a session of question and answer after the business portion of the meeting during which I try to explain various aspects of LC and librarianship in the US in general.

Ms. Neginskaia then guides us to the Academy of Sciences Library. Here Dr. Levner's connections with the Academy of Sciences (of the FSU) library system appears. The Academy of Sciences libraries of all the republics are attempting to continue to cooperate as much as possible despite the disintegration of the FSU. Thus Dr. Levner is received both as a representative of LC and of affiliated Academy of Sciences library, making our reception that much warmer. Also, Dr. Levner knows many of the library management here personally. Mikhail Strizhonok, the Director, is the first of many library directors that I will meet that is apparently the only man among a staff of women. The official business follows the usual course, being guided by my packet of handouts. We are given a tour of the library, followed by a more informal gathering in the director's office with various snacks and some toasts. A rather sober moment occurs during discussions of Chernobyl—Belarussians generally feel that their country suffered the most since it lies directly (and most closely) downwind (he claims that 70% of the fallout fell on Belarus). This subject was brought up in connection with the many banners in Minsk in connection with the sixth anniversary of the disaster, which took place on the 26th of April, 1986. There are several events planned in this connection, including a fund-raising concert (to aid children). The director, Mikhail Strizhonok, arranges to have one his reference librarians show us the city the next day (rather than her usual assignment of sitting at a reference desk). He also arranges for tickets to the ballet (and this evening, we have tickets to the opera, arranged for by the National Library).