The Library of Omsk State Medical University (OSMU library) is one of the oldest libraries among medical libraries in Russia. The library of OSMU was founded in 1921 in newly established West Siberian State Medical Institute.
During its first years, the library was located on the second floor of the institute, the library staff ranged from 3 to 5 employees, with the institute’s research staff working as librarians, and doctors, students and simply “citizens” working as assistant librarians and servants.
The sources formed the collection of the library were the books donated by Omsk doctors; moreover, books and textbooks were purchased from private parties and organizations and also ordered abroad.
The systematic gathering of library collection started in 1926 when the Institute was funded by the state budget and got the opportunity to buy Russian and foreign books. Regular exchanges with scientific societies and institutions were also established. 22,951 books were donated from the Lenin State Library.
In all subsequent years, as faculties were opened, the library collection in special disciplines was completed. New divisions were created in the library, the area expanded:
1925 - the circulation department of course books opened,
1934 – the circulation department and the reading room for students,
1939 - the reading room for faculty.
At the end of the forties, the library's book stock increased almost 10 times compared to the original, the number of readers over these years increased almost 12 times, and book lending increased by more than 30 times.
Nowadays OSMU library is one of the leading university libraries not only in the Siberian region, but also in Russia. The introduction of new information technologies into library and bibliographic processes, expansion of the information space through cooperation with other organizations, exchange of best practices is not a complete list of the library’s main achievements.
One of the keys to the success of a library is the professionalism of its staff, aimed at meeting the information needs of readers. The library employs highly qualified specialists, 92% of whom have higher library education.
Since 1991, the library has been headed by Lyudmila V. LUZYANINA, whose progressive views were embodied in the transition from traditional forms and methods of library work to advanced technologies of library and information services.
OSMU library performs the function of information support for the educational process and scientific research.
The objectives of continuing medical education are responsible for increasing demand for library and information services.
Structural divisions serve more than 19 thousand readers, book distribution is about 630 thousand copies.
For readers there are 7 subscriptions, 5 reading rooms with 120 reading places.
The funds include medical and socio-economic literature, dissertations, abstracts of dissertations, periodicals, information, bibliographic and reference publications, literature in foreign languages.
Reader service has reached a new level. The processes of editions circulation, information search, delivery of documents within the inter-library circulation department are automatized; the electronic reading room with access to databases in Russian and English is available. In 2011, the full-text database including papers of the University staff was created and it is constantly being filled. Scientifically based the subject indexing of documents in library’s databases via MeSH thesaurus is carried out.
In order to provide every student with access to the electronic library system, OSMU library organized and registered in the manner prescribed by law the “OSMU Electronic Library”.
The Electronic Library includes digital copies of OSMU stuff: educational and methodological manuals, monographs, dissertations and abstracts of dissertations, articles from periodicals and ongoing publications. In addition to its own electronic library, the OSMU entered into agreements to provide access to third-party electronic library systems, domestic and foreign databases.
OSMU library also provides access to information resources for students with disabilities.
In 2019, the library introduced a 24/7 operating mode of the reading room. The reading room became a comfortable space for study and relaxation thanks to the new computers and free Wi-Fi access.
The library informatization program provides for further automation of library and bibliographic processes, and the library's information space is steadily expanding.
EXTERNAL ACTIVITY
Nowadays Library participates in numerous projects and programs. OSMU library today:
- a member of the National Electronic and Informational Consortium (NEICON);
- a member of the Association of Regional Libraries and Information Consortium (ARLICON);
- a participant of the project “Russian Medicine. Articles”;
- a participant of the project of the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation on creation of the Federal Electronic Medical Library;
- a participant of the project the Information Access System to Electronic Catalogues of Libraries in the field of Education and Science in the framework of the united Internet resource (IS ECLFES).
DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS
The library has specified the main activity areas:
- preservation of library collection through creation of electronic library, digitization of the rarest and most valuable editions;
- improving the quality of library and information services to users based on studying their information needs and improving methods of implementation
- further development of cooperation between libraries and information centers in information exchange.