Virtual Museum as a Way to Open the Collections of Russian Libraries

Virtual museums are a promising form of disclosure and popularization of unique book collections. The purpose of the study of the websites of central regional libraries in 2025 was to identify the best library practices in organizing digital resources. The number of virtual museums identified shows that libraries do not use this form as often one. The analysis is carried out taking into account the necessary components. They are the disclosure of document collections, the content of exhibitions, the quality of content, the convenience of the interface, navigation, meeting the information needs of various categories of users and allowed us to identify a number of central regional libraries using the form of a virtual museum to systematize and disseminate documented information of historical and cultural heritage. Due to the varying understanding of the definition of “virtual museum”, libraries organize online exhibitions in different ways, using different technological models and approaches to the formation of the site structure. Therefore, in some cases, the form of a virtual museum is indistinctly felt, the boundaries between a virtual library museum and thematic sites, electronic collections, and Internet encyclopedias become blurred. The general trends in the development of virtual museums, the relevance and potential of their development are shown, successful practices and their features are noted, an attempt is made to typologize the identified museums, key problems and challenges are identified. Many Russian libraries have the prospect of creating virtual museums, as they actually carry out museum and exhibition activities. This is possible under the condition of the development of project activities, a creative and competent approach to the development of the exposition plan, the right choice of technological solutions, and the organization of social partnership. Through virtual museums, it is possible to solve the tasks of disclosing funds and ensuring citizens’ access to cultural values regardless of their place of residence, maintain inclusivity and adapt different audiences to receive socially significant information.

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