Impact of Glasnost and Perestroika on the Russian Libraries
摘要
This paper deals with the problems of Russian libraries in the transitional period of the newly formed Russian Confederation and initiatives being developed and also examines the prospects and possibilities for new activities in the changing political situation. Although transition from an outmoded and oppressive system to an open society can be counted as a revolutionary process, most of the changes in the political and economic systems came about through peaceful means. However, this transformation created many noticeable shocks in various spheres of living including in Russian libraries. This transition commenced in 1985 when glasnost and perestroika started with their ever progressing attempts at placing far more emphasis on establishing institutionalized reforms in the political, economic and social conditions of the Soviet Union. Finally, the fundamental changes happened after December 1991, when the Soviet Union disintegrated and an independent Russia emerged. Since then, Russia has begun developing a new information policy and is working to be a part of a global information network. This new outlook of the Russian policy makers has had a far-reaching effect on shaping Russian cultural and social values.