Best in Saint Petersburg
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LIBRARIES (42 listings) File Created: 28-Jan-03
See also: UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES (UNDERGRADUATE)
Contains:
St. Petersburg is one of the largest library centers in the world with more than three thousand libraries and related resources. The library resources of Saint Petersburg consists of 250 million volumes which include unique editions, ancient manuscripts and foreign literature. The best known libraries are the Public Library of Saltykov-Shchedrin and the Library of the Academy of Sciences.

Access: To use a library, you must generally show your passport. Take along a photo (3x4 cm) if you want to get a library card for a particular library. Some libraries now charge fees to foreigners and/or require a letter from your employer.
In general, citizens may take books (especially fiction) from municipal libraries but not from university, research or scientific libraries (w/o special permission). Thus, it is more likely that a listed book is available in "science" libraries.

Res. = Research
Nauch. = Nauchnaya = Research
RAN = of Russian Academy of Sciences

MAJOR RESEARCH LIBRARIESspaceTopspaceL indexspaceA-Z Index
Russian National Library, Reading Room  
   165 Moskovskiy prosp........................................................................................................Tel: 448-9084
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................291-6473
Daily 9-21; Park Pobedy;
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RESEARCH LIBRARIES (Universities, Institutes, Museums)spaceTopspaceL indexspaceA-Z Index
Listings starting with A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Academy of Science Library  
Founded in 1714 from the private library of Peter the Great and Aptekarskiy Prikaz archives. 20 million books and rare manuscripts are available.
   1 Birzhevaya Liniya...............................................................................................................Tel: 328-3592
   Tel: .........................................................328-4091;    Information:............................................328-3991
   Fax:...................................................................................................................................................328-7436
Mo-Sa 9-20; Bus: 7, T-Bus: 10;
      
Agricultural Library, Central Research Founded in 1832; with 1.
2 million volumes, including 40 000 unique editions from Museum of Agriculture. Permit by agreement.
   42 Bolshaya Morskaya ul....................................................................................................Tel: 314-4917
Mo-Th 10-18, Fr 10-17;
      
American Informational Center Library  
Free access to over 1000 English books & directories on US business & economics . Telecommunication access to USIA libraries in Washington and American Center library in Moscow.
   5 Millionnaya ul. (at Mramornyy Palace)...............................................................................Tel: 311-8905
   Tel: .........................................................110-6416;    Fax:...........................................................325-8052
Tu-Th 13-17;
      
Architecture & Construction Research-Technical Library, SPS Univ.  
Founded in 1832, library has science (technical specialities), architecture & art sections. Authentic blueprints of the works of Petersburg’s first architects
   4 2-ya Krasnoarmeyskaya ul.............................................................................................Tel: 316-2897
Mo-Fr 10-19, Sa 10-17; Tekhnologicheskiy Institut;
      
Art History Research Library, Russian Institute of  
Founded in 1910 by first Russian Institute of Art History, has large selection of Russian & foreign literature on theatre history, cinema, folklore, musicology. Access for specialists
   5 Isaakievskaya pl................................................................................................................Tel: 315-5587
Mo, We, Fr 10-17; T-Bus: 5, T-Bus: 22;
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Communications University Research Library (SPS), formerly Railroad Institute Library
Founded in 1809 at the same time as the Railway Engineering Institute. One of oldest libraries, it contains pre- and post-revolutionary works on railway transportation, construction, and technology
   9 Moskovskiy prosp.....................................................................................................Director:168-8252
   Tel: .........................................................168-8611;    Tel: ..........................................................168-8700
Mo-Fr 9:30-18; Sadovaya;
      
Dostoevskiy Literary-Memorial Museum, Book Collection  
World-renowned library numbers over 22,000 volumes, rare rough copies, books from Dostoevskiy collection, Russian and foreign essays on Dostoevskiy, access by recommendation from school or work
   5 Kuznechnyy per.................................................................................................................Tel: 164-7125
Tu-Sa 11-17; Vladimirskaya;
      
Economics and Finance, Library of SP Univ. Founded in 1930.
It has over 1million of books. Economics, pre-revolutionary and modern editions, periodicals, works of foreign writers
   30 Griboedova kan. nab.......................................................................................................Tel: 110-5717
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................110-5616
Mo-Fr 10-19, Sa 10-17; Nevskiy Prospekt;
      
Geological Library, All-Russian  
One of largest geological libraries in the world; founded in 1832; since 1930 part (1 mln) open to public
   74 Sredniy prosp. V.O..................................................................................................Director:321-7212
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................328-9228
Mo-Th 11-17:30, Fr 11-16:30; Vasileostrovskaya;
      
Hermitage State Research Library  
Founded in 1762 from Catherine II’s book collection. Includes 700,000 volumes on painting, applied arts, history, architecture, archeology, numismatics. Access for Russian and foreign specialists.
   34 Dvortsovaya nab..............................................................................................................Tel: 110-9664
Tu-Fr 10-17, Sa 10-16:30; Nevskiy Prospekt;
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History of Religion Museum Res. Library  
Supported by Kasanskiy Cathedral and Sinodal library. Over 200,000 books on philosopy, history of religion, art, including rare editions. Access by recommendation
   2 Kazanskaya pl....................................................................................................................Tel: 314-5847
Mo, Tu, Th, Fr 9:30-18; Nevskiy Prospekt;
      
Mayakovskiy Central City Public Library, Foreign Literature Department  
Books in foreign languages
   46 Fontanki reki nab.............................................................................................................Tel: 311-0004
Mo-Sa 12-19; Mayakovskaya;
      
Medical Research Library, Leningrad Region  
The fund includes 350,000 books - rare books, foreign literature, books on health care and practical medicine, PhD research theses
   45 Lunacharskogo prosp...................................................................................................Tel: 592-7158
   Tel: .........................................................513-6259;    Information department:......................592-7143
Mo-Fr 11-18; Ozerki +Tram: 17;
      
Military-Naval Library, Central  
Founded in 1805 by decree of Emperor Alexander I. The most complete collection of Russian and foreign books on navy. Currently closed for repairs.
   2 Sadovaya ul.........................................................................................................................Tel: 210-4365
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................210-4849
Mo-Fr 10-17;
      
Music Library of St. Petersburg Pilarmonic n.a. Shostakovich  
Founded in 1882 as the Court orchestra library. Contains rare editions of books on music and sheet music.
   2 Mikhaylovskaya ul.............................................................................................................Tel: 110-4928
Fr 13-19; Nevskiy Prospekt;
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Rimskiy-Korsakov Music Library at SPS Conservatory  
Founded in 1862 by Russian Musical Society, Rubinstein, Dorgomyzhskiy, and Rimskiy-Korsakov libraries. Contains music & academic literature.
   3 Teatralnaya pl.....................................................................................................................Tel: 311-3223
Mo-Sa 10-18; Tram: 1, Tram: 11, Tram: 31;
      
Russian National Library  
Founded in 1795, There are more than 29 mlllion books and manuscripts, including rare editions in Cyrillic print, Egyptian papyruses, etc.
   18 Sadovaya ul......................................................................................................................Tel: 310-7137
Daily 9-21; Nevskiy Prospekt;
      
Russian State Museum Science Library  
Primarily Russian and foreign art history; smaller selection of foreign literature and periodical subscriptions. Est. in 1895 by the Benua library, access by agreement
   4 Inzhenernaya ul..................................................................................................................Tel: 219-1612
Mo-Fr 10-17; Gostinyy Dvor;
      
Science Library at Russian Academy of Arts  
Library was found in 1957 and maintains more than 1,5 million of books on art, history, architecture of XVIII-XX century. Permit by referrals.
   17 Universitetskaya nab.....................................................................................................Tel: 323-7178
   Director:...........................................................................................................................................323-6529
Mo-Fr 10-20, Sa 11-18; Bus: 7, T-Bus: 10;
      
Science Library n.a. Gorkiy Est. in 1783. 6.
5 mlllion books, including 145,000 rare editions from the collection of books of 18th C. bibliophile Zhukovskiy
   7 Universitetskaya nab........................................................................................................Tel: 328-9558
Mo-Fr 11-19, Sa 10-18:45; Bus: 7, T-Bus: 10;
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St. Petersburg State Commercial Arts Academy Library  
Founded in 1879 as library of The Shtiglitsa Art Academy; over 150,000 books & exhibits on decorative & applied art, design, philosophy, aesthetics, history of Russia; entrance fee for unauthorized persons.
   13 Solyanoy per.....................................................................................................................Tel: 272-2422
Mo-Fr 12-17; Chernyshevskaya;
      
Technical University Library, SPS Est.
in 1902, over 3 million mostly academic volumes on natural sciences, metallurgy, power engineering, calculating, machinery construction. There is a department of rare books.
   29 Politekhnicheskaya ul....................................................................................................Tel: 552-7714
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................552-8540
Mo-Fr 11-19; Politekhnicheskaya;
      
Technological Institute Library, SPS Main One of largest libraries est.
at the end of 19c. Over a million volumes on chemistry and chemical technologies
   26 Moskovskiy prosp...........................................................................................................Tel: 316-5521
   Tel: .........................................................259-4759;    Tel: ..........................................................259-4882
Mo-Fr 10-19; Tekhnologicheskiy Institut;
      
Theater Library  
Established in 1756 the library contains literature on theater arts, film studies, more than 62,000 manuscripts, 15,000 original drafts of XVI-XX c.
   2 Zodchego Rossi ul.............................................................................................................Tel: 311-0845
   Tel: .........................................................311-7711;    Reading hall:..........................................315-1045
   Secretary:........................................................................................................................................312-0311
Mo-Fr 11-19, Sa 11-18; Gostinyy Dvor;
      
Theological Academy & Seminary Library Est.
in 1946, includes books on theology, philosophy, history, religious art, sheet music. Access by prior agreement
   17 Obvodnogo kan. nab.......................................................................................................Tel: 277-3567
Mo-Fr 9-17, Sa 9-16; Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo;
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SPECIAL SMALL RESEARCH COLLECTIONS (Museums)spaceTopspaceL indexspaceA-Z Index
Dostoevskiy Literary Memorial Museum Book Collection  
World renown library numbers over 22,000 volumes, rare drafts, books from Dostoevskiy collection.
   26 Marata ul...........................................................................................................................Tel: 164-7125
Tu-Sa 11-17; Mayakovskaya;
      
MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES FOR PUBLIC USEspaceTopspaceL indexspaceA-Z Index
Listings starting with A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Here are some of the outstanding municipal (public) libraries.

R-na = Rayona
Dist = District

Belinskiy Central District Library Established in 1900 as a memory of Belinsky.
Reading room for children and adults for free. A fund contains 249,000 books.
   83 Grazhdanskiy prosp.......................................................................................................Tel: 533-3787
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................533-3578
Mo-Fr 13-18; Akademicheskaya;
      
Centralized Library of Kirovskiy District, Branch N4  
   115 Leninskiy prosp......................................................................Sheet music department:153-1718
   Tel: .........................................................153-5878;    Tel: ..........................................................153-5877
Mo-Fr 13-20, Sa 10-17; Leninskiy Prospekt;
      
Centralized Library of Kirovskiy District, Branch N10 Founded in 1984.
This fund includes 23,000 books. Selection of books on fiction also books on Russian trades and applied art-the only such library in the city
   36 Stoykosti ul. , kor. 1........................................................................................................Tel: 150-3914
Mo-Th 13-19, FrSa 12-18; Prospekt Veteranov;
      
Centralized Library of Vyborgskiy District, Branch N1 Founded in 1929.
A fund of 94,000 books contains a great selection of books on economics and business.
   32 Morisa Toreza prosp.....................................................................................Reading hall:550-0317
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................550-0607
Mo-Th 13-20, Su, Sa 11-18; Ploshchad Muzhestva;
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Chekhov Central District Library Established in 1926.
Contains 172,000 books, including rare publications. Subdivisions: manuscripts, fiction, history and economy
   11 Turku ul..............................................................................................................................Tel: 174-5308
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................105-1191
Mo-Fr 11-20, Su, Sa 10-17; Kupchino +Tram: 25;
      
Lermontov Central Distric Library  
Laid out in 1936, contains over 150, 000 volumes on art history, cinema
   19 Liteynyy prosp..................................................................................................................Tel: 273-2252
   Reading hall:..................................................................................................................................279-7285
Tu-Fr 13-19, Sa 11-17; Chernyshevskaya;
      
Mayakovskiy Central City Public Library  
Founded in 1867 as private collection of Cherkesov, 1.5 mln books in 25 languages.
   44 Fontanki reki nab............................................................................................Reading hall:112-5103
   Tel: .........................................................311-4300;    Tel: ..........................................................310-3658
Mo-Sa 11-20; Mayakovskaya;
      
Paustovskiy Central District Library Founded in 1927, includes 130,000 volumes.
Best information on entertainment, academic disciplines; computerized bibliography search
   37 Varshavskaya ul..............................................................................................................Tel: 293-7355
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................295-6196
Mo-Fr 12-19, Su 11-18;
      
Pushkin Central District Library Established in 1887. Contains 121,000 books.
Subdivisions: Fiction, manuscripts, history and economy.
   73 Bolshoy prosp. P.S..........................................................................................................Tel: 346-2607
Mo-Th 12-19, Su, Sa 11-17; Petrogradskaya;
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Serafimovich Central Library  
Books on economics, finance, politics, business law, mythology, alternative Bible reading. The fund includes 200,000 books .
   111 Engelsa prosp................................................................................................................Tel: 510-5795
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................510-6785
Mo-Fr 11-20, Su, Sa 11-17; Ozerki;
      
Sholokhov Central Library  
Best library collection on painting, including rare publications from end of 19th beginning of 20th cc.
   31 Leni Golikova ul................................................................................................................Tel: 152-5445
Mo-Fr 13-20, Su, Sa 11-18; Prospekt Veteranov;
      
CHILDREN'S LIBRARIESspaceTopspaceL indexspaceA-Z Index
Central City Children's Library n.a. Pushkin, Department of Foreign Books  
Children’s literature in foreign languages, fiction and educational books.
   8 3-ya Sovetskaya ul............................................................................................................Tel: 275-5909
   Tel: .........................................................277-5251;    Tel: ..........................................................275-5310
Mo-Sa 11-18; Ploshchad Vosstaniya;
      
Children's Central Library n.a. Pushkin, Branch  
Children’s and adolescent’s literature. Wide selection (500, 000) books in the fund.
   33 Bolshaya Morskaya ul....................................................................................................Tel: 312-3380
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................325-0162
Mo-Sa 10-18; T-Bus: 5, T-Bus: 22;
      
Children's Central Library of Kirovskiy District  
Children's literature, adventures, tales, fantasy. Children's art exhibits, Puppet Theater. There are 111, 000 books in the fond.
   76 Veteranov prosp......................................................................................................Director:150-0802
   Reading hall:..................................................................................................................................159-2429
Mo-Fr 12-19, Sa 12-18; Prospekt Veteranov;
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SPECIAL MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES (BLIND, MOBILE)spaceTopspaceL indexspaceA-Z Index
City Library for the Blind, for members of VOS Founded in 1956.
It includes the first books for the blind "Blind Man", published under the supervising of empress, magazine "Leisure of blinds". For members of VOS only.
   8 Shamsheva ul.....................................................................................................................Tel: 232-7107
   Tel: ..................................................................................................................................................232-4537
Tu-Fr 10-21, Mo, Sa 11-19; Chkalovskaya;