From “Tobolsk Bulletin” to “Murzilka”: the Presidential Library collection of periodicals is growing

In honor of the Day of Russian Press, celebrated on January 13, the Presidential Library website features the latest acquisitions fir the digital collection "National Periodicals."

By now, the number of digitized issues of periodicals in the collection of the first Russian national electronic library equals to more than 117, 000 items - more than 560 titles of magazines and newspapers. In 2016, the total number of issues is going to be increased up to 130, 000.

Among the rare periodicals, which recently joined the collection of the Presidential Library, there is the "Tobolsk Provincial Bulletin", which is considered to be the first newspaper in the province. It was issued from 1857 to 1918. The collection includes almost all the issues.

Special attention should be given to the publications for teenagers. The Presidential Library has digitized the issues of "Murzilka" magazine of the first half of the 20th century and of the 1930 "Pioneer." Publications were provided to the Presidential Library by the Sverdlovsk Regional Library for Children and Youth. Literary magazine for children of primary school age "Murzilka" has been published in Moscow monthly from May 16, 1924 to the present.

Digital copies available on the Presidential Library website contain stories by Leo Tolstoy and Mikhail Zoshchenko, Samuil Marshak fables, poems by Agnes Barto, etc. One of the most interesting issues is that released in January 1942. The cover features a sketch by Elena Afanasyeva titled "A meeting" which depicts a commander of the Red Army with his father, who became a partisan. The explanatory note, which you will find in the next page, is noteworthy. It provides the explanation of what is happening, as well as flattering epithets in regards of the fighters against fascism. Today the website makes accessible digitized copies of the issues published in 1930-1932, 1934-1937, 1939, 1940, 1942 years.

Another representative of the periodicals for students was the magazine "Pioneer." It has been published in Moscow monthly from March 15, 1924 to the present. Permanent sections of the "Pioneer" are school and pioneer life, journalism, arts, sports, children's artistic creativity, science and technology. The magazine has organized the activities of Timur teams and groups. The very style of the materials is different from similar publications. The emphasis is placed not only on the texts of the invited authors, but also on the arguments of pioneers themselves. The magazine contains a small number of illustrations. Preference is given to voluminous articles. Today, the Presidential Library website provides access to the 1930 issues.

The Presidential Library collection which currently numbers more than 400, 000 units, will continue to acquire periodicals that reflect important historical milestones in the development of the state.