FEFU is the first Russian university to gain access to the resources of the main scientific and technical library of the country

FEFU students, teachers and staff have access to the State Public Scientific and Technical Library resources. The ceremony of signing a cooperation agreement with Alexander Karaush, Director General of the State Public Scientific and Technical Library of Russia (SPSTL), was held at the FEFU Scientific Library.

SPSTL of Russia is the largest scientific and technical library in the country. The Library's repository contains unique domestic and foreign collections of scientific and technical publications in the fields of basic and applied natural sciences, engineering, technology, mechanical engineering, ecology and economics. The Library is a member of the most prominent and high-profile international organizations – the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the International Association of Technical University Libraries (IATUL), cooperates with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the European Union, other international organizations, institutions and funds.

"In February 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin set the task of modernizing the research libraries of the country's universities and scientific centres. In this paradigm, FEFU was the first Russian university to gain access to the funds of the State Public Scientific and Technical Library," said Sergey Solovyov, Director of the FEFU Scientific Library.

Therefore, FEFU researchers do not need to travel to Moscow to access SPSTL resources for writing dissertations and other scientific works. It is enough to come to the library on the university campus and get access to the SPSTL's digitised and electronic resources or submit a request to Moscow for partial digitisation of paper resources.

"The mission of FEFU, a pioneer of higher education in the Far East, is to foster and strengthen relations between Russia and the Asian countries. Over the past 125 years, we have actively built partnerships with our counterparts in the Asia-Pacific region through regular exchanges of scientific archives and library resources. Today, we have amassed a vast University collection of distinctive publications in Russian and 16 other languages. Initiating cooperation with the State Public Scientific and Technical Library will allow us to bring together the intellectual bases of the Russian Far East and the main scientific repository of the country, which will open new perspectives not only for our scientists, but also for Asian colleagues, giving them access to the exceptional achievements of Russian science. Such projects are essential for the development of a common scientific space, innovative research, knowledge sharing and strengthening of international cooperation," – noted Evgeny Vlasov, FEFU Vice-Rector for International Relations.

The history of the FEFU Scientific Library dates back to 1899, when it was founded together with the Oriental Institute. Initially, the library was funded by government grants and donations from other Russian universities, particularly St. Petersburg University, as well as individual collections from the first faculty members. Today it is the largest university library in the Far East, with a collection of approximately 2 million printed volumes, including unique editions of scientific, educational and fictional literature in Russian and 16 foreign languages, the personal collections of renowned scholars, and a fund of rare editions.