Published on: 2026-09-14
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Technologies are being introduced in Moscow libraries that simplify the work of employees and save readers’ time. Self-service stations with RFID tags allow books to be checked out with just a few touches, and a unified electronic catalog enables online reservation of editions. Currently, 45 terminals have been installed in 19 libraries under the Department of Culture of the city of Moscow.
How self-service stations work
The system is based on radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. A miniature tag-chip containing information about the publication is embedded in each book: title, author’s name, status (in the library or with the reader).
To borrow a book, the reader places the publication on the terminal platform, applies their unified library card—the system automatically reads the tag and registers the loan. The entire process takes a few seconds. Book returns occur in the same manner.
Tags also help librarians: with a portable reader, they can keep track of the book collection simply by walking along the shelves. Protective gates at the exit prevent the removal of unauthorized publications.
“Now books can be returned in a minute. You come up, tap your card, return the books — and that’s it. It’s especially convenient when you come with children and don’t want to stand in line,” said Anna Simonova, mother of two children, a reader at library No. 197 named after A.A. Akhmatova.
Previously, the return process took up to 10 minutes. Today, librarians have more time left for consultations, selecting literature, and organizing events.
Where are they installed
At the moment, 45 self-service stations operate in 19 libraries of Moscow. They are open in the I.S. Turgenev Library-Reading Room, the A.S. Pushkin Library-Reading Room, the Gogol House, the Central City Children’s Library named after A.P. Gaidar, the A.P. Bogolyubov Art Library, the A.F. Losev House, the Central City Business Library, the Central City Youth Library named after M.A. Svetlov, and others. Recently, stations have been placed in libraries No. 67, No. 91 named after E.L. Voynich, No. 23 named after Maxim Gorky, No. 100, No. 76 named after M.Yu. Lermontov, No. 180 named after N.F. Fedorov, Central Youth Library No. 122 named after Alexander Grin, Library No. 128 — the Cultural Center named after M.A. Sholokhov, Library No. 214 named after Yu.A. Gagarin, and the Central Universal Scientific Library named after N.A. Nekrasov.
There is also a street terminal for returning books near library No. 197 named after Anna Akhmatova in Krylatskoye.
“After work, I often didn’t make it to the library: it closes at 8:00 PM. The outdoor terminal operates around the clock, and I can return the book at any convenient time. This helps a lot,” shared Aleksey Smirnov, a reader of Library No. 197 named after A.A. Akhmatova.
Self-service stations are available to all library visitors. The terminal interface is user-friendly, and no special training is required to use it. If necessary, a librarian will always be available to assist.
Terminals are also popular among families with children. A child can choose a book and check it out through such a device, feeling more independent. This helps foster a love of reading and libraries from an early age.
The service opens up additional opportunities “Libraries of Moscow” on the portal mos.ru. It provides access to the electronic catalog of all city libraries — more than 15 million publications.
The service allows you to:
— find a book by author, title, or keywords;
— to reserve the publication at the selected library;
— extend the book return deadline without visiting the library;
— receive personalized recommendations based on preferences.
The recommendation system operates based on artificial intelligence. The neural network is trained on data from over 320 thousand books and creates selections taking into account previously ordered editions. Recommendations are displayed on the main page of the service in the “You may like” section.
Over five years of service, city residents have reserved over 1.1 million books. The function to extend the return period has been used more than 1.6 million times.
To use all the features of the service, you will need the standard account on mos.ru and the unified reader’s card.
How to start using library services
The unified library card provides access to all services of city libraries. It can be obtained online on the mos.ru portal or at any city library. A passport is required (for children under 14 years old – birth certificate and parent’s passport). Moscow registration is not required. The unified library card can be used as Muscovite card.
After registering a library card, all features of the “Moscow Libraries” service become available: book reservations, loan renewals, and personalized recommendations. In libraries with self-service terminals, you can independently check out and return books within seconds.
A step-by-step guide has been posted on the mos.ru portal instruction, which will tell about all the possibilities of city libraries.
Moscow libraries are becoming more technological and convenient for readers. New services save time, simplify access to books, and make the process of obtaining literature as comfortable as possible.
The creation, development, and operation of e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services and digital services, correspond to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration.” More about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution can be found at special page.
The mos.ru portal is the core of the capital’s digital ecosystem. Today, it offers more than 460 services and utilities that help solve almost any issue online. In a convenient digital format, you can pay bills, check your child’s school grades and schedule, submit meter readings, book a pet’s appointment with a veterinarian, purchase tickets for plays and concerts, and much more. To have reliable access to important digital services, experts recommend using the “Yandex Browser” or installing it on your device. certificates Russian Ministry of Digital Development.
Get the latest main news quickly on the official Moscow city channels in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.