At most of the libraries we visited, users face considerable obstacles and delays in accessing collections, which are usually housed in closed stacks and are often dispersed at numerous sites. The Moscow State University Library has 60 reading rooms in 15 buildings. Library staff spend a great deal of time telling users how to navigate the maze of library locations and collections. The Russian National Library is located in 14 different buildings spread all over St. Petersburg. A new building on the outskirts of the city under construction since 1986 is still only partially complete due to lack of funds.
Russian librarians are very dedicated to their profession.
They are also knowledgeable and well educated in their fields. Many have doctoral degrees, in physics and mathematics for example, and assist clients in a research capacity. But, because Russian librarians are paid token salaries, many young librarians leave for better paying jobs either in private colleges or in clerical and secretarial work in banks and international companies. Library automation in general is still in the early stages, but one must be careful not to generalize. Russian libraries are also increasingly innovative in their efforts to obtain funds.