– the world's largest library for children. Founded on December 30, 1969 by order of the Minister of Culture of the RSFSR.
The first library building was located on the street. Dmitry Ulyanov, there were only 2 reading rooms, later a third one was added to them - a music and music room. In 1987, the library moved to a new building on Kaluzhskaya Square. The building was built according to a unique architectural design prepared under the leadership of academician Yakov Belopolsky.
The Russian State Children's Library has developed a unique system of halls: general ones - for children and teenagers of different ages, for specialists, and specialized - a literature hall in foreign languages, a music and music hall, a music library, a fairy tale room, a family reading room, a Pushkin room, a psychological and pedagogical counseling room. Large areas are reserved for book and illustrative exhibitions. There are spacious recreational facilities, a modern cinema and concert hall with 170 seats.
For more than 48 years, the Russian State Children's Library has been operating as a cultural and educational center for children and their parents. And for professional colleagues, it is a scientific, methodological and research center on issues of library work with children and adolescents, the development of pedagogy, the psychology and sociology of children's reading, and the bibliography of children's literature. Since 2013, the Russian State Children's Library has been a leading platform for advanced training of library specialists serving children.
RGDL is a member of the Russian Library Association (RBA), the Eurasian Library Assembly (BAE), IFLA, the national section of the International Council for Children's and Youth Literature (IBBY). Since 2013, the library has been an accredited organization - an expert in the field of children's literature.
Concert Hall of the Russian State Children's Library
RGDL building
more than 45,000 readers annually;
9,000 sq. meters of library space;
more than 1,200,000 site visitors;
15 specialized reader service rooms;
more than 40 children's studios, clubs, clubs;
more than 560,000 books (including in foreign languages), magazines, sheet music, audio books, filmstrips;
more than 15,000 digitized materials in
Library for readers:
classes in clubs and studios for children and teenagers;
communication and personal growth trainings, individual and family consultations, career counseling, correctional and developmental classes;
exhibitions of books, works of illustrators, children's creativity;
literary festivals, competitions, meetings with writers, actors and translators, literature reviews, lectures, concerts, library excursions (including in English);
book launches, quizzes and festivals;
bibliographic and methodological manuals prepared by RGDL specialists;
free Internet access;
library cafe.
Details Updated: September 26, 2019
The Russian Children's Library has raised more than one generation of young readers. The library welcomes everyone, preschoolers, middle school students and high school students. And those who don’t yet know how to read will certainly be taught here. Structurally, the library is divided into several departments, in accordance with the age and hobbies of readers.
In the department of services for preschool and younger children school age More than 30 thousand of the best children's books and magazines have been collected and are available in an open access subscription. Great attention is paid to updating the assortment, so readers can follow the latest releases in the book market on the library shelves. You can come here to buy books for newborns.
“Grandfather is the editor-in-chief of Yeralash, dad is a famous director, but no one has cast me in a movie.”
The reading room for preschoolers is a very interesting place. There are toy books, rag books, rubber books different sizes. A book taken from the shelf can turn into a bright tabletop theater. In the reading room for little ones they read, draw and play. Literary classes are organized for children and several interesting studios are open: "Chicken Ryaba" for children 2-3 years old, “Eniki-beniki” for 3-5 years old, "Terem-Teremok" for children 3-6 years old. In the reading room for junior schoolchildren you can do your homework, read comics, play board games, or meet with a children's author.
In the department of services for middle and high school students, everything is much more serious, and there are more books. Librarians will always help you choose the right literature: based on your interests, age, or school assignment. Interesting lectures, meetings with authors and interactive classes are organized for the children.
The RGDL has many clubs and studios for readers of all ages. For children aged 4 to 16 years, the “Piano Music” club is open, where music and play classes are held all year round. Children get acquainted with the history of music, learn to play the piano, and participate in reporting concerts twice a year. You can join the world of music at the themed music and game classes “We Can’t Live Without Music,” in a singing circle, or in group classes at the “Music Box” club.
Children from 3 to 6 years old, together with their parents, are invited to meetings of the Kids English Lab family club, where, while doing their favorite activities - drawing, singing or sculpting, children quietly master foreign vocabulary and learn English. From the age of 6 you can study at the Russian State Children's Library French, a subscription for 8 classes will cost 1600 rubles.
Future first-graders can enroll in the Russian Children's Library studio " Psychological preparation to school,” and children from 5 years old are invited to the philosophical club “Labyrinths of Thinking” (1,600 rubles/5 lessons), where they are taught to think critically from childhood. Students in grades 1-2 are working on overcoming school maladjustment in the “Introduction to the History of Writing” studio, where they can not only draw in hieroglyphs and cuneiform, but also create their own book.
At the RGDL, children aged 4-6 and 6-9 years old can learn Spanish: children's groups of the Spanish cultural center study in the library premises. Foreign languages are taught by native Spanish speakers using methods approved by the Council of Europe.
In the summer, the city camp “School of Fairy Tales” opens at the Russian State Children's Library for children from 6 to 10 years old. The cost of a weekly shift is 5900 rubles. Additionally, lunches are paid (200 rubles/day) or you can give your child food to take with you.
A complete list of clubs and studios can be found on the website of the Russian Children's Library.
