Russian State Library

The Russian State Library named after Lenin (RSL), known to many as Leninka, is one of the greatest book depositories on the planet. Located in the center of Moscow, it preserves the priceless cultural treasures of humanity and continues to remain one of the most important centers of science and enlightenment.

From Count Rumyantsev’s collection to a national treasure

The birth of a great library

The foundation for the creation of one of the world’s largest book depositories was the private collection of Count Nikolai Petrovich Rumyantsev. This outstanding statesman and patron of the arts assembled an extensive collection that included more than 28,000 volumes of the rarest editions. In 1828, on the basis of this collection, the Rumyantsev Museum was opened in St. Petersburg, combining books, manuscripts, works of art and historical documents. In 1845, the museum collection became part of the Imperial Public Library. Interestingly, among its staff was Vladimir Odoevsky — a well-known writer, author of the fairy tale “The Town in a Snuffbox”. In 1861 the collection was moved to Moscow and placed in the magnificent Pashkov House on Vozdvizhenka — an architectural masterpiece of Russian classicism, presumably designed by Vasily Bazhenov.

Development in the 20th century

After the October Revolution, the library’s collections were significantly enriched. Around half a million books arrived here from the nationalized private collections of aristocratic families — the Sheremetevs, Baryatinskys, Vorontsov-Dashkovs and other representatives of the Russian nobility. In 1925 the institution received the name Lenin State Library of the USSR. It was under this name that it became famous throughout the world and continues to be widely known even now, despite its official renaming in 1992.

An architectural masterpiece of the Soviet era

The competition and construction

In 1927 a competition was announced for the design of a new library building. The winning entry was an unsolicited design by the architects Vladimir Shchuko and Vladimir Helfreich, the creators of the famous monument to Lenin at the Finland Station in Leningrad. Construction of the grand complex lasted three decades — from 1928 to 1958, although the main building was already completed by 1941. The architectural project is a complex of five structures, forming a system of inner courtyards. The building combines elements of ancient architecture and Soviet post-constructivism, creating a unique style that would later be called Stalinist Empire.

Decorative design of the facades

The facade of the main building, clad in granite and limestone, is adorned with impressive elements:

• Bronze bas-reliefs depicting great scholars: Archimedes, Lomonosov, Darwin and other representatives of science
• On the pediment there are 22 three-meter-high sculptures united by the theme “Socialist Labor and Knowledge”, among whose authors was the outstanding sculptor Vera Mukhina
• Massive columns that lend the building monumentality and solemnity

The splendor of the interiors

The interior decor of the library amazes with its luxury and attention to detail. Noble materials were used for the finishing: marble, oak panels, bronze. Of particular note is the grand staircase leading from the lobby to the reading rooms. It symbolizes a person’s ascent to the heights of knowledge. The staircase leads to a spacious gallery with balconies decorated with elegant decorative railings and graceful floor lamps on marble pillars. Slender columns with gilded capitals give the space a particularly ceremonial character. The Third Reading Room is considered the most famous room in the library. It was here that the iconic scene from the Oscar-winning film “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears” was filmed. The hall is designed for 464 visitors and impresses with its high ceilings with stucco decor, oak galleries and staircases. The architects sought to recreate the atmosphere of the ceremonial halls of Italian Renaissance palaces.

Unique collections and holdings

The scale of the collection

Today, the Russian State Library holds more than 48 million items of various documents, books, periodicals and manuscripts. The total length of the bookshelves is an incredible 275 kilometers. Around 4,000 readers use the library every day, and up to 200 new visitors register here daily. Since 1862, copies of all publications issued on the territory of Russia have been required to be deposited in the library. This makes it not only the largest, but also the most comprehensive book depository in the country.

Treasures of the library vaults

Among the RSL holdings are truly priceless cultural objects:

• The Archangel Gospel of the 11th century — one of the oldest monuments of Slavic writing
• “The Apostol” by Ivan Fyodorov — the first dated printed book in Russia, published in 1564
• Manuscripts and autograph documents of Giordano Bruno — the Italian philosopher and scholar of the Renaissance
• Lifetime editions of works by Cervantes, Voltaire and other classics of world literature
• Rare books in the form of scrolls and on palm leaves

The Book Museum: a journey through the history of writing

In 1983, within the walls of the library, the Book Museum was opened — a unique exhibition dedicated to the history of writing and printing. The museum’s collection includes more than a thousand exhibits covering the period from the 15th to the 21st century. Visitors can see:

1. Examples of ancient forms of the book — from papyrus scrolls to codices
2. Tools and equipment for printing from different eras
3. Personal belongings of prominent figures of book culture
4. Examples of original graphics and printing art
5. Interesting everyday objects, such as a late-19th-century school pencil case decorated with images of book spines

The exhibits are displayed in elegant showcases made of walnut wood, and the marble floors and stuccoed ceilings create an atmosphere conducive to contemplation and reflection.

The modern life of the library

Technical equipment

The library is equipped with a unique system for delivering items. In the stacks, which comprise 19 tiers, technologies that were innovative for their time are used:

• Pneumatic mail — delivers readers’ requests in special capsules through tubes
• Telelift — a miniature railway for transporting books
• A conveyor system that has been in operation since 1947

In 2009, three of the library’s departments were moved back into the restored Pashkov House. Restoration of this architectural monument lasted a full 20 years and returned the building to its historical splendor.

International cooperation

The Russian State Library is the country’s leading research and methodological center in the field of library science. The institution actively cooperates with partners from 54 countries, holding international conferences, symposia and other professional events.

The monument to Fyodor Dostoevsky

In 1997, a monument to Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky was installed in front of the library building. The monument, created by the well-known sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov, was unveiled for the 175th anniversary of the writer and the 850th anniversary of Moscow. The sculpture is notable for its intimate scale and psychological depth. The writer is depicted seated in a thoughtful pose, slightly hunched. His face expresses deep concentration and a hint of sadness. The monument perfectly conveys the philosophical nature of Dostoevsky’s work and symbolizes the inseparable connection of great Russian literature with this temple of knowledge.

Interesting facts about the library

• The library continued to operate even during the years of the Great Patriotic War, and in 1942 a special children’s reading room was opened here
• Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, whose name the library bore for 67 years, never visited it, but among its readers was the future King of Spain Felipe VI
• To leaf through all the publications stored in the library at a rate of one book per minute would take 79 years of uninterrupted work
• The library appears in several well-known films: “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears”, “The Master and Margarita”, and one of its staff members played a role in the comedy “The Diamond Arm”
• The archives contain paper versions of all available books, journals and newspapers — this is a requirement for ensuring the preservation of documents

Practical information for visitors

Location and transport

The main building of the Russian State Library is located at: 3/5 Vozdvizhenka Street, in the very heart of the capital, next to the Moscow Kremlin. The easiest way to get here is by metro:

• Biblioteka Imeni Lenina station — an exit directly to the building
• Alexandrovsky Sad, Borovitskaya, and Arbatskaya stations — within walking distance

There is also a surface transport stop “Alexandrovsky Sad” nearby, where buses and trolleybuses stop.

Opening hours

The library is open to visitors six days a week:

• Monday — Friday: from 9:00 to 20:00
• Saturday: from 9:00 to 19:00
• Sunday: closed
• Last Monday of the month: maintenance day

The Book Museum operates according to a separate schedule:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:00 — 20:00
• Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 10:00 — 18:00
• Sunday: closed

How to become a reader

Any citizen of Russia aged 14 and over can register with the library. University students are admitted without age restrictions. Registration is carried out in the main building during library opening hours. Detailed information about the required documents and registration procedure can be found on the institution’s official website.

Conclusion: a living monument of culture

The Russian State Library named after Lenin is not just a book depository, but a living organism that continues to develop and serve enlightenment. The majestic library building is itself an outstanding architectural monument, worthy of attention even from those who do not plan to work in the reading rooms. A visit to the Book Museum, which is completely free of charge, allows one to touch the centuries-old history of writing and printing. And for those who want to see the famous reading rooms from the inside and learn more about the library’s work, informative guided tours with professional guides are organized. Leninka remains a symbol of Russian culture and science, a place where past and present merge into a single space of knowledge that is accessible to every resident of the country.