The material presents the views of the chairs and members of the dissertation councils at the KazGIK, MGIK, SPGIK and RSL on the specialty 05.25.03 indicated in the title on four issues: 1. Are you confident in the future of your dissertation council? What is your confidence or anxiety related to? 2. What do you think are the problems of modern library science, bibliography and book studies? 3. There are only 4 dissertation councils on the specialty – 03.25.03 – in Russia: in Kazan, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khimki. Do you think this is sufficient for the development of our industry? 4. What question (s) on the dissertation council would you like to be asked?The answers showed concern for the future of not only of dissertation counsils as such, but confirmed serious concerns about the future of the specialty 05.25.03.

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.

Review of the textbook "Library and Information Services" [in Russian, “Bibliotechno-informatsionnoye obsluzhivaniye”] under the science editorship of M. Ya. Dvorkina, recommended for university students studying in the field of "Library and Information Activity" (for "Bachelor" qualification). - St. Petersburg : Profession, 2016. - 240 p. The author analyzes the structure and contents of the new textbook "Library and Information Services". She focuses on the comprehensiveness, integrity, consistency and clarity of the contents to be comprehended by future bachelors. The reviewer points to the most appropriate chapters, namely those on library information services, their classification and technologies. Supplemented with comprehendible tables and appendices, the textbook can be used in practical training, too. The merits and drawbacks of several book chapters are discussed from the viewpoint of a longtime lecturer (the author teaches this discipline) who points to some questionable formulations of principles and service types. However, the textbook is highly needed, relevant, and takes into account the changes in the library information industry. As compared to previous editions, it defines clearly the role of libraries in the circumstances of growing information and communication technologies. The textbook refer to the current trends of library services, theoretical concepts of library science and education. The textbook is intended for the higher schools.

The article describes the results of the study of information needs of students in the formation of the electronic educational environment of the Kazan State Institute of Culture.  The study aims to solve the following problems: identify and evaluate the attitude of students to the use of new information technologies in the educational process; define the range of sources of information used by students; to evaluate the degree and effectiveness of using various elements of the electronic educational environment of the institute. The methodological base of the study was a systematic approach as a direction of the methodology of scientific knowledge, which is based on the consideration of the object of study as a system. This study uses empirical research methods, in particular survey and comparison methods, as well as analysis of publications and regulatory documents. Studying the information needs of students to optimize their information support system, intensify their activities in mastering the basic educational program and improve the quality of training of future specialists.