Using the Reading Rooms

Borrowing Books

The National Library of Russia is not a lending library, so you can only consult all materials in the Reading Rooms.

Access to our Reading Rooms

To use the collections and services of the National Library of Russia in our Reading Rooms, you must first get a Library Card at the Reader Registration Desk on the Ground Floor of the Main or New Building. The card will be checked at the Security Desk each time you enter the Library.

Personal Items Brought into the Reading Rooms

All personal items brought into the Reading Rooms must be submitted for inspection at the Security Desk upon arrival and departure.

Food, Laptop computers, Phones, Paints and Markers, Copying Paper, Glue

We do NOT allow food and/or drinks, copying paper, glue, sticky tape, paints and markers  onto the reading rooms, so you are asked to leave these items in the Cloakroom before entering the Library.

Laptop computers, tablets, and mobile phones may be used. You should turn your phone to silent in the Library.

The cloakroom service is free of charge.

Coats, Bags and Rucksacks

Visitors to our Reading Rooms are required to leave coats, including raincoats, suit jackets and sport coats, as well as hats in the Cloakrooms. Bags, suitcases, rucksacks and packages, sticks, long or wet umbrellas also must be placed in the storage compartments located in the Cloakrooms.

Dirty things are not permitted in the Cloakroms. Shoes or wet umbrellas are stored only in bags.

The cloakroom service is free of charge.

Large Luggage Restrictions

Please DO NOT bring any luggage larger than than 60 (H) x 45 (W) x 32 (D) cm into the Library. Any items of luggage larger than 60cm x 45cm x 32cm cannot be stored in the Cloakrooms for safety and security reasons.

Bicycles, scooters, skates, roller skates, skis may NOT be stored in the cloakroom.

Books and other Reading Materials, Photo and Video Equipment

Items that may NOT be brought into the reading areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Books, newspapers, magazines and other printed items;
  • Microfilms and microfiches;
  • Audio- and video-materials and documents on electronic media (CDs, DVDs);
  • Professional photo equipment;
  • Video film shooting equipment;

Musical instruments in their cases may be brought in the Piano Practice Room.

The cloakroom service is free of charge.

Prohibited items brought into the reading areas without permittion will be confiscated along with your library card.

Photography at the Library

You are permitted to use handheld cameras (including tablets and phones) without flash.

It is permitted to take photographs, for personal use only, of the items from the collections of the Library, excluding manuscripts, rare, valuable and frigle items.

The use of tripods, stands and/or professional equipment is NOT allowed without prior approval by the Directorate of the Library.

Flash photography is strictly forbidden.

The use of telescopic "selfie sticks" is forbidden.

Knives, Scissors

To protect the itemes from our collections and to guarantee the security of visitors, the Library require all knives, scissors and/or other cutting tools to be left in the cloakroom.

The cloakroom service is free of charge.

Use of Collections

Readers must handle all materials with care, to avoid loss or damage. Do NOT make any marks in/on the Library materials. Do NOT remove or turn down pages of books and other items. Never place notebooks, pens or other objects on books or other Library items. Do NOT lean on the Library materials.

Be sure to maintain arrangement of loose materials.

Damage or defacement of library materials is strictly forbidden.

All Library materials must remain in the appropriate Reading Room on the surface of your table. No items may be taken from the Reading Rooms into dining venues, toilets and other non-reading areas.

Books and/or other items that have been used in the Reading Room must be returned at the Reader Service Desk before the closing time.

The Library materials in any format or the Library equipment taken from the Library without permittion will be confiscated along with your library card.

The following conditions do not cover every eventuality. Please follow any instructions from the Library and Security staff.

 

Location Maps

Reader Registration

Reading Rooms

Floor Plans

Using the Reading Rooms

Food, Drink

Cloakrooms, Storage, Wi-Fi

Accessibility

Book Shop


The Library is open
Monday—Friday from 9:00 to 21:00;
Saturday, Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00.


The Library is closed on public holidays and last Tuesday of each month.
On pre-holidays, the Library is open from 9:00 to 16:00.