Private libraries phenomenon in Tomsk of late 19 - early 20 centuries

In the article the phenomenon of private libraries of Tomsk in the aspect of a developing general library discourse in Russia of the threshold of the 19th-20th centuries is analyzed. Personal and private libraries were usually formed in houses and satisfied the spiritual needs of the owner, representing their way of life and interests. The private book collection in most cases grew was the result of purposeful creative activity of its owners who defined the acquisition source, thematic structure and look of the book, provided search and delivery of editions. It is crucial to study the history of emergence of such collections, the necessary data on the owner, time of purchase of the collection, its quantitative and thematic characteristics for later private collections became the initial book kernel of libraries of Russia and, in particular, of Siberia. Generally, private book collections of local merchants were one of the sources of distribution of books in Siberia. The merchants' role in Western Siberia was extremely important, as it was connected with major progresses in industry, credit and financial sphere, transport, trade, and culture. The majority of West Siberian entrepreneurs were of peasant origin and represented "successful children" of primary capital growth period. It was the people of fine wit, ingenuity, energy. Therefore, appeal to culture-triggering activity of merchants F.A. Gorokhov, I.D. and V.I. Astashev shows obvious evolution in understanding of the book and formation of private collections. P.I. Makushin's activity of enlightener is essential for formation of library science in Siberia. His private Public library had a delivery desk, a reading room, a children's department, departments of German, French and musical literature. Printed catalogues were issued and updated. Makushin was a good manager and understood the environment of the reader's market. He proved the possibility and need of successful existence of private libraries in most frontier economic and political situations. Memoirs, data of Tomsk periodicals, indexes and memorable books of the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century helped to research the problem. Using them information on the life of Tomsk private libraries of brothers Volynsky, N.I. Bereznitsky, M.M. Cheremnykh was collected. Of particular interest is the archive of a Tomsk bourgeois L.P. Baranova showing specifics of the problem not only in the social, but also gender aspects. All this material showed its urgency and prospects for further research.

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