Mikhail Afanas'ev notes that the State Historical Library must have a person who acquires materials (particularly new periodicals) on the street in much the same way that Dr. Levner operates. As to monographs, the State Historical Library's view at present is that there is no one single source that will insure total coverage--basically, they are improvising at the moment. The Bibkollektor does not get everything, according to Dr. Afanas'ev. The Bibkollektor may improve after an expected new law regarding mandidtory deposit of new publications is passed. Bibkollektor is also negotiating agreements with former republics to recreate previously exiting deposit arrangements (such as with Latvia, where an agreement has been successfully concluded). The State Historical Library is trying new arrangements such as direct contracts with publishers (however, so far the library is only working directly with about ten of them). As a result, at the moment there is some unwanted duplication in acquisitions (this sounds familiar). Library staff also make purchases out-of-pocket when they encounter new materials on the street. Dr. Afanas'ev described problems encountered by Academy of Sciences affiliated libraries. Their own Academy of Sciences Bibkollektor has decided to privatize and is attempting to do so, even though it was directed not to. Recently this organization began to require payment in advance every quarter, which was expensive and inconvenient.
There are also "nezavisimye tsentry" (independent centers) selling books, but these have extremely high prices. Even worse than the problems of high prices is the increase in the cost of postage. Russian libraries have appealed to Yeltsin for a subsidy, but this question has not been decided (this phrase is to be heard repeatedly during this trip). Dr. Afanas'ev speaks disparagingly of the Knizhnaia Palata (KP). Since it doesn't have any way of actively acquiring materials (other than manditory deposit requirments) it is missing much. The Istorichka does not rely on KP data. Another problem is that while the new national libraries of the former Soviet Union seem to be exchanging publications successfully for the most part, other libraries are having considerable difficulties. They are attempting to work out barter/exchange arrangements, but some of the libraries are not being too cooperative. The Academy of Sciences library in Moldova, for 'example, has requested West European materials from the Istorichka (hope springs eternal, apparently) which it cannot possibly send. Dr. Afanas'ev also talked briefly about the state of publishing. The biggest change is that the increase in the price of paper means that the days of gigantic (by Western standards) print runs are probably over. It is now more likely to be profitable to produce a smaller tirage. He does see some evidence that the price of paper has peaked and may even retreat slightly.
I felt somewhat sorry for Dr. Afanas'ev--he was being inundated with Americans. Directly before our meeting, he had been meeting with Edward Kasinec of New York Public. Afterwards he had another group from another US library--apparently there was some meeting in Moscow and all had decided to drop by. In the afternoon Dr. Levner and I visit INION. Run through my standard program. During the middle of day I had to return to apartment for some papers that I had not thought that I would need, and while exiting a subway station an overloaded escalator ground to a halt. Much grumbling from the people around, but total rebellion avoided. Also, the undercarriages of many of the subway cars sound unhappy--many load clunks and groans. Apparently even the much praised Moscow subway is having a difficult time.
The visit to INION is a flag-waving effort. INION is a big partner, and it is useful to make sure that they are satisfied. They do not voice any major concerns as far as the exchange is concerned, but they are interested in the information in the first half of my standard presentation. Jet-lag begins to set in during this meeting, but Levner has already learned some of the generic elements, so he assists.
Mr. Kurennoi comments that it is far from clear that Russian will remain a "international scientific language," even within the former Soviet Union--there are already many new publications coming out in vernacular languages that previously would have been in Russian.
According to Mr. Kurennoi, there was a reregistration of publishers in the past month, and there are sanctions for failure to deposit copies with the Knizhnaia palata (exactly what they are is unclear). He notes that acquisitions for INION's own collections are not in jeopardy, but that the acquisitions of additional copies to supply exchange partners has become very difficult.
Most annoying is that all these changes and difficulties are coming at once. There are rumors both about the Academic Bibkollektor and the general Bibkollektor. Thgere is chaos with their budget--no longer is it clear what it will be for more than a few weeks in advance. Mr. Korennoi himself has created a proposal of cooperation between the fifteen largest academic libraries of the FSU for cooperation in acquisitions, which he hopes will be successful, but the fact is that many different initiatives are being tried at once (this sounds much like the Istorichka).
As we leave, Dr. Levner points to a spot that was originally intended to be a location for a new building for the Library of Natural Sciences. History intervened and the building was never built, which is probably just as well from the Library of Congress' point of view--BEN's present location is very convenient. After this visit, Dr. Levner heads home and I go to dinner at a cooperative restaurant in downtown Moscow that has been recommended. The total is 600 rubles for more food than I would normally eat. The quality is somewhat uneven--while the vegetables in the salad are fresh, the peas had been recently living in a can--but overall the food is much better than what I had in previous visits at Soviet restaurants.
I walk part of way to apartment through Red Square and area around Kremlin. The amazing number of vendors on the street with goods either for tourists or for the local population is astonishing--can anyone really make enough money with so many of them operating? On the street, in the underground cross-walks and in the subway there are endless vendors selling books, magazines and newspapers. I am glad to see that virtually all of the newspapers and magazines are familiar to me from my work at the Library. The books are for sale on the street are mostly not familiar because the vast majority fall outside LC collection guidelines. One aspect is immediately obvious: virtually none are original works. Many translations of science fiction, detective novels, sex manuals, fiction. Some are just (unauthorized) reprints, such as one of the Romanov English-Russian/Russian-English Dictionary. Not much respect for copyright--generally there is a copyright statement that concerns the translation or the "oformlenie." The numerous business publications (monographs) are somewhat better, although many are just reproducing information found in other sources with no additional interpretation or particularly useful presentation. I have examined the items for sale at several vendors selling videocassettes. All claim that the quality is excellent-a "first copy!" But they are all in violation of copyright. Such movies are even shown on television--I watched a few minutes of Ghostbusters II that had a Russian voice reading over the German that had been dubbed in. The apartment where I am staying is near the Kursk railway station. Railway stations in Russia are quite busy, even after dark. Lots going on--but not clear exactly what. Out front is a ten piece band that is playing for handouts (I saw many individuals and groups playing on the street during this visit, but this was the biggest). Virtually everyone seemed to be ignoring them. Again, where there were mobs of vendors during the day, at night there is incredible filth and trash.
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I'm not sure much of this is terribly interesting to the general reader, but it certainly gives me pause now - having arrived the day before, this is a significant amount of work. Geez.
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