The evolution of libraries and their main problems in contemporary social medium is examined. The current status of Russian library system and the sources of library environment stratification are discussed. The value characteristics of library information education and reasons of its insufficient efficiency are defined. Ways to overcome the crisis in library sphere are suggested. The necessity for social mandate and government support of libraries, on one hand, and for consolidation of library education institutes, employer, and libraries, on the other hand, is emphasized. The authors argue that these measures would enable to choose optimal vector for professional library activities.

The author explores the critical phenomena in modern library and information education which he regards as “ringing bells”. That is decrease of the state-financed openings in universities and specialized colleges of library and information studies; introduction of the Unified State Exam which has destroyed the system of occupational orientation at library departments; merging library departments with other departments; the problems of the faculty staffing. Arkady Sokolov identified these malignant processes as “the library school annihilation”.The author puts forward the suggestions to change the situation: restitution of Moscow State Institute of Culture as a head of professional educational institute; summoning professional conference to develop a strategy and tactics of library education; building post-graduate program to prepare professors for regional professional higher schools and colleges. The author emphasizes the critical need for the national policy for the library industry and consolidation of resources, not only those of library university department and colleges, but also the educational centers to train and retrain librarians on the premises of several major libraries.

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The authors discuss the problems of library and information education. The lack of a single system of life-long education in the library industry is stressed. The Model Standard of Public Libraries as a reference point for education reinvention is analyzed. The main vectors of public libraries activities defined in the Model Standard are considered, along with the desirable professional competences. The ratio of the libraries’ main tasks and functionalities and the professional education is examined.

The article is published on the jubilee of Yakov Leonidovich Shrayberg, prominent Russian library scientist. The most important episodes of his professional activities of the recent decade are discussed: establishing of the National Association “Libraries of the Future”, his change-over to the position of RNPLS&T Director for Research, publishing of the three-volume book “My friend Katya Genieva”, etc.