Creating the "firm basis": from the history of the creation of the book fund of the Tomsk State University Research Library by V.M. Florinsky

The Research Library of Tomsk State University became an integral part of the first higher educational establishment in Siberia since its foundation in 1880. The key role in the formation of the original book fund of the library was made by V.M. Florinsky (1834-1899), the scientist of varied attainments, whose name was inextricably connected with the history of the creation and opening of the Siberian University in Tomsk. In the given article the author aimed to characterize the conceptual approach of Florinsky to the destiny and principles of the book fund formation as an integral part of the university. The research is, first of all, based on materials of the personal archive of Florinsky, particular emphasis has been placed on his diaries. The world view of Florinsky as a medical scientist and a member of the "medical corporation" formed his active "attitude to the state" in the development of Russian education and science. So, he wrote his first thoughts on this matter in his foreign notes (1861-1863). In 1875, he left the "Alma mater" and started to work in the Ministry of National Education. That was the very moment when he moved his scientific activity to the background, and the Siberian University became his lifework. He presented the concept of the future library in 1877 in his Project of Proposal on Donations for the Collection of the Library of the Siberian University. This project can be referred to as the program document of the library, where he stated his vision about the principles of and approaches to the formation of the book fund. In the search of book collections or even separate book volumes that could be necessary for the university, he used not only his experience of a bibliophile scholar, but also his personal contacts with friends and colleagues from different scientific and state organizations. Copies of books from the Public Library and the Hermitage Library that were personally chosen by Florinsky, as well as editions of the Censoring Committee and the Main Directorate on Press Affairs together with a book collection for the medical branch of the library Florinsky granted to the library made the foundation of the library book fund. Even after the completion of the book funds, Florinsky did not remain indifferent to the library activity. He chose a candidate for the position of the chief librarian and composed the main organizational and methodological document of the library. Thus, all these book collections made a firm foundation for the research-scientific activity of the University and made it stand out on the Russian and the world maps of centers for science and education. Florinsky not only solved the task - organized a research library before the official opening of the university, but also conceptually defined the significance of the existence of such an establishment at the University.

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