“Rossica” – evolution of the term in Russian science, 19th– 20th c.

Abstract

The article analyses the meaning attributed to the term “Rossica” in Russian bibliography and book science, from the moment of its coining in the 19th c. until today. The reconstruction of the changes in its understanding was performed on the basis of the review of the acquisition rules adopted in the “Rossica” collections of the two largest libraries in Russia: the Russian National Library in St. Petersburg and the Russian State Library in Moscow.

The term “Rossica” appeared in Russian bibliographical works during the second half of the 19th c. After in 1850, a special collection bearing that name was instituted at the Imperial Public Library in St. Petersburg. The “Rossica” collection was supposed to accumulate writings related to Russia, published in foreign languages, both outside of and within Russia.

Since the eighteen-sixties, the originals or copies of materials designated as “Rossica”, were regularly gathered at the Rumiantsev Museum in Moscow, thelibrary that later on, formed the core of the Russian State Library. But, writings in foreign languages published within the Russian state borders, were not included into the “Rossica” collection of the Russian State Library.

After the October Revolution of 1917, the term “Rossica” was predominantly used with respect to publications stemming from the pre-Soviet times. A similar term, “Sovietica” appeared in use, which denoted foreign materials related to the new state. Nevertheless, the criteria of selection in both libraries in question did not change.

In 1995, as a result of the “All-Russian Conference concerning the ≪Rossica ≫ Issue”, a recommendation was published, according to which the “Rossica” were to be considered identical with “exteriorica”. This meant that from then on the term “Rossica” encompassed publications related to Russia but printed outside the country. Nevertheless, “rossica” remains one of the most ambiguous concepts used in Russian library science. This is caused by the fact that Russian bibliographical terminology, due to insuffi cient number of scientifi c publications dealing with it, still remains underdeveloped.