There are plans to prepare a reference book on map libraries and bodies possessing maps holdings in East European countries and so the RSL has drawn up a questionnaire and sent it out to relevant institutions. Seven questionnaires filled in have been returned. Occasional gatherings of executives of map libraries to familiarise each other with their work are being organised. Education Improving skills is the next important project. It is aimed at instructing the personnel in work with personal computers and in the Internet.
Specialists attend foreign language courses in libraries.
The staff of the map department also take an active part in proceedings of the map society of Russia delivering reports there. Cataloguing The processing of publications is going on both in terms of compiling electronic catalogues of current publications being added to map departments of the national libraries, and of retaining traditional card catalogues. The RNL has shared its database on new accessions of maps and atlases. Their bibliographical entries can be found in the Internet. New Acquisitions Library holdings are being built up steadily and actively.