Discusses past influences on Russia's libraries, examines current improvements in the Russian library situation, and considers prospects for the future. Highlights include the publishing industry; government economic problems; financial support from trade unions; outdated materials; dissatisfied users; and censorship under past regimes. (LRW)

Discusses libraries and issues relating to censorship, social protest, and First Amendment rights. Topics addressed include materials selection based on objective criteria; removing inappropriate material; intellectual freedom; limited versus absolute censorship; and possible errors in selection decisions. (LRW)