The article explores the cultural potential of reading as one of the factors in the development of children's giftedness. The role of the book as the bearer of culture in the process of preserving national identity is revealed. The authors of the article discover the growing importance of family reading in the process of a gifted person…

This article describes the history and fierce controversy that has flared up in Russia regarding the composition of the school canon (SC), which is a list of literary works that students are required to study in literature classes, as well as the very need for such a list in the first place. The history, which goes back to the time of the first…

The democratic society of the 21st century requires a person to possess advanced communication standards. The article sets tendencies to develop reading culture among teenagers by means of events and projects aimed to support reading. The Yelabuga Institute of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University hosts the following projects: "The Festival…

Emphasis is placed on the role of scientific and technical libraries in the education of Soviet workers. One of the main tasks of technical libraries is to educate workers to respect their professions, and to maintain communistic attitudes towards labor. Librarians acquaint younger workers with literature on the history of their plants with…

Recommendatory bibliography gives considerable assistance to education in Russia. The term "recommendatory" was introduced before the Revolution by the well-known bibliographer, N.A. Rubakin. The term has been preserved but the volume and contents of its concept have changed and become more complicated. During the first years of Soviet…

The major directions of scientific research in the field of library work with children, being conducted in Russia, are discussed. The results of pedagogical influence on children's reading depend greatly on the organization of the library service. Two vital problems of such library service are: the organization of a state-wide system of library…

Addresses social and cultural changes of reading in Russia: (1) changes in cultural hierarchy; (2) changes in reader behavior; (3) declining importance of classic literature; and (4) rise of mass culture and its effects. Tables present information on the genre of books that were best sellers and books borrowed from Russian libraries. (JMV)

Examines reading habits of Estonians with studies dating back to the 1960s and discusses the impact of the printed word on culture. Focuses on changes since the Estonian's transition to the market economy: (1) reading has become casual and less frequent; (2) literary preferences have shifted; and (3) smaller home libraries have increased the need…

Reports on the reading interests of 450 Russian secondary school graduates enrolled in a mathematics and physics-oriented technical school in Moscow. Finds that students' interests changed during two periods in recent Russian history: (1) 1988-1990--the perestroika period; and (2) 1991-1992--the "market" period. (CFR)

Sharing concerns and interests of New York State educators in the improvement of literacy, this annual journal raises educational issues such as current thoughts about literacy instruction, educators' roles, literacy in its many forms, college-community literacy partnerships, and recommended reading materials. Articles in the journal are "Who…