Modern libraries are actively transforming to become centers of cultural and social life.

In Moscow, this process was reflected in the modernization of spaces, the introduction of co-working spaces and new formats of interaction with the audience. However, the key task remained the popularization of libraries as places of attraction.

Since 2012, this mission has been fulfilled by the all-Russian Biblionight event, which has grown from a local initiative into a large-scale international event. Over the years, it has united thousands of venues, from libraries to museums and bookstores, offering quests, lectures, performances and even street projects.

In this review (a continuation of the article "How do I get to the library?", 2017 г.) : how Biblionight has evolved from 2018 to 2025, what trends have shaped its evolution, and how libraries continue to surprise in the age of digitalization.

So, "What's next?" And then there were other "Biblionights", and they continued the line of major city festivals held by the Department of Culture of the regions, revived the tradition of family reading and allowed the reader to look at libraries in a new way.

2018-2019. "Biblionight" covers more and more regions (up to 85+) and venues (passing 2000). Themes "The magic of the book" "Biblionights-2018" и "The whole world is a theater" "Biblionights 2019"Libraries have been able to develop their potential as cultural hubs even further. Special projects for children were actively developed in Moscow "Bibliosummer"Libraries have finally established themselves as modern, technological and comfortable spaces for study, work and recreation. Libraries have finally established themselves as modern, technological and comfortable spaces for study, work and recreation, which has been facilitated by the ongoing program in the capital city "Transformation of Moscow's libraries". The number of libraries with extended hours has increased.

2020-2021 (Pandemic Period). The main events of Biblionight moved to the online format under the theme "Memory our victories" "Biblionight 2020", 75th anniversary of Victory) and "The book is the way to the stars" "Biblionight 2021."Year of Science and Technology, 60th anniversary of Gagarin's flight). This allowed not to interrupt the tradition and even significantly expand the audience (millions of views of online broadcasts, virtual excursions, lectures, master classes). Libraries in Moscow and other cities actively developed digital services, access to electronic resources, online book signing and delivery. Sometimes, if the epidemiological situation allowed, local offline events were held.

2022-2023. A return to large-scale offline events, often in a hybrid format (online+offline). Theme "Biblionight 2022." - "ProTraditionsThe cross-cutting theme of "The Russian Culture" emphasized folk culture, folklore and the ethnic diversity of Russia. In 2023, the cross-cutting theme "Reading togetherMoscow continued to strengthen the role of libraries as neighborhood cultural centers by opening new model libraries under the National Project "Culture" equipped with the latest technology. Moscow continued to strengthen the role of libraries as district cultural centers, opening new model libraries within the framework of the National Project "Culture", equipped with the latest technology. Areas related to media and IT literacy, creative industries, environmental education ("Green Library") were actively developed. "Biblionight remained the key event to demonstrate these new opportunities.

2024 - 2025. The 13th "Biblionight" was held under the theme "Reading as a family"In Moscow, special emphasis was placed on projects combining literature with other arts (theater, film, music, digital-art, and inclusive programs). In Moscow, special emphasis was placed on projects combining literature with other arts (theater, film, music, digital-art), as well as on inclusive programs. Cross-cutting theme "Biblionight 2025" was held under the motto "His heroes"The book, which invites its readers to rethink the concept of heroism through literature, history and modern media. In the center of attention were not only heroes of classic literary works and historical characters, but also real individuals whose names remain in the shadows: volunteers, scientists, doctors, teachers, librarians, and ordinary people whose actions change life around them.

What else was there to see on "Biblionight 2025"?

Immersive exhibitions: the Russian State Library (RGB) hosted the exposition "Heroes out of time"Rare books, manuscripts and digital installations revealed the evolution of the hero's image from antiquity to the present day; in the regions, projects like "Heroes of My City" - stories of local residents told through archival photos, letters and interviews.

Literary performances and theater productions: in "A. F. Losev's houseThe audience saw an experimental performance "Dialogues with invisible people" - monologues of forgotten philosophers and writers; in Yekaterinburg there was held "Dialogues with invisible people".Marathon heroic epics" with the participation of actors and folklore groups.

Discussions and meetings: dialogues were held in Moscow and St. Petersburg with authors writing about "non-heroic heroes" (e.g., Dmitry Glukhovsky and Marina Stepnova); a roundtable "Who does Russia need today?"with the participation of sociologists and educators (broadcasted nationwide).

Interactive for children and teens "Create your own hero" - master classes on storytelling and comics at the RSDB; quest "Save the book universe", where participants "brought characters to life" with the help of augmented reality.

Regional special projects: in Kaliningrad libraries together with the Baltic Fleet organized a program "Sea heroes"In Yakutia, emphasis was placed on the heroes of the national epic Olonkhoby combining saga reading with VR reconstructions.

Digital dimension: the platform "#YourHeroes"In addition, virtual tours through the closed collections of libraries with "guides" - famous actors and writers - were offered.

"Biblionight-2025" confirmed: even in the digital age, the living word and human stories remain a powerful tool of unification.

Russian "Biblionoch" is a demanded, timely and incredibly successful event realized in the library space. In a few years, Biblionight has turned from a small event organized by enthusiasts in a number of libraries in the capital, and then went beyond not only the capital region, but also Russia, into an international cultural phenomenon, into an event that is expected. "Biblionight" is not just a literary event of the year. It is a new intellectual leisure, not boring and diverse, it is a time for creativity, acquaintance with the book and people's communication. The main emphasis will remain on live communication with books and each other, on the unique atmosphere of the library as a place of strength for the intellect and soul. Librarians are preparing new surprises, so that the next "Biblionight" again proved that the library is not the past, but the dynamic present and future of the city.

Are we going to the library?

Review prepared by Alina Sheshnyova