Post-event press release

The Twenty Fourth International Conference «LIBCOM-2020»: «Information technologies, computer systems and publications for libraries” was held on November 24—27, 2020. For the first time, it was organized in the online mode which enabled over 2,000 participants from 11 countries — Abkhazia, Belarus, Germany, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine — to attend.

The welcome letters were sent to the LIBCOM Conference participants by Valery N. Falkov, RF Minister of Science and Higher Education; Olga B. Lyubimova, Minister of Culture; Irek E. Faizullin, Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities; and Yury S. Pulya, Head of Periodicals, Book Publishing and Polygraphic Industry Department of the Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications.

Grigroy P. Ivliev, Head of the Russian Federal Agency For Intellectual Property, Patents and Trademarks (Rospatent); Svetlana S. Zhurova, First Deputy Chair of the Committee for International Affairs of the RF State Duma Federal Assembly; Oleg N. Smolin, First Deputy Chair of the Committee for Education and Science of the RF State Duma Federal Assembly; Vadim V. Duda, Director General of the Russian State Library, directors of federal libraries, and many others, greeted the Conference participants in person.

At the Plenary Session, the problems of the information market under the pandemic conditions were discussed: the state of the art and prospects for digitalization; legislation for distance learning, knowledge-driven economy and digital bureaucracy; digital transformation of school libraries, etc.

Traditionally, this year professional sections, discussions, open lectures, presentations of professional contests, round tables and open session were held. The following events attracted the most interest:

- Information technologies in library services of children, the program by Russian State Children’s Library. The full Conference day was set aside for discussing modern approaches to promoting children’s reading and related successful online projects. It was for the first time that Russian State Children’s Library acted as RNPLS&T’s co-organizer;

- Industrial Conference of the Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communication — a special Event. The 2020 topic: “The book industry in the epoch of the pandemic — through the eyes of the book market players”;

- Topical discussion site “Digital library systems at the current stage of education technologies and solutions”;

- “IRBIS Library Automation System— current status and prospects for 2021”, a special event by ELNIT International Association. IRBIS System designers communicated major changes in the system modules and the new developments in IRBIS environment;

- “On the way to sci-tech libraries revitalization”, special event organized by the Central Sci-tech Library for Construction and Architecture;

- Special seminar “Current problems and new ideas in RNPLS&T’s research activities”;

- Discussion round table and workshop “Problems of modern library education”.

For the first time, the traditional intellectual game and show “What” Where? When? In the Library, Information, Book and Publishing Space”: 2020 Winter Series –RNPLS&T vs. Experts” was streamed on YouTube. Yakov L. Shrayberg, Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committeee, RNPLS&T Academic Advisor, is the Game long-time host.

Please see the records of the Conference events at RNPLS&T’s YouTube channel.

 International Conference and Exhibition «LIBCOM»: “Information Technologies, Computer Systems and Publications for Libraries” has been held annually since 1997. Russian National Public Library for Science and Technology is the Conference founder and main organizer. Traditionally, the Conference is supported by the RF Ministry for Science and Higher Education, RF Ministry of Culture, International Association of Users and Developers of Electronic Libraries and New Information Technologies (ELNIT Association), Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications, National Library Association “Libraries of the Future”. The conference is attended by experts and top officers of culture, education and science agencies and organizations, businessmen representing publishing industry and book trade, IT specialists, etc.