On June 24, the Russian State Children’s Library hosted interregional webinar Libraries and Other Cultural Institutions’ Digital Resources in the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. The event brought together librarians, bibliographers, digital content specialists, educational project developers, and representatives of educational institutions from across the country. They were working toward a common goal: to identify effective approaches that help children and teenagers navigate the digital world safely and confidently while preserving and passing on the cultural heritage of Russia’s peoples.
This topic has become particularly significant today, when cultural institutions are increasingly tasked with strengthening traditional values, promoting intergenerational dialogue, and supporting ethnocultural diversity, while digital technologies are emerging as an important tool for achieving these objectives. Libraries now serve as a bridge between traditional education and modern technologies: they curate high-quality content, create interactive local history projects, and help families develop healthy digital habits.
Viktoria Bunchuk, Head of Social Projects at the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ, was among the speakers. She presented the Coordination Center’s experience through the Explore the Internet & Govern It project, demonstrating how digital and traditional educational tools can be effectively combined. The project includes a wide variety of formats, from online games and simulators to offline quizzes, comics, and poetry collections, which help kids learn the principles of digital safety in an engaging way.The project places particular emphasis on inclusivity. In partnership with Everland, the Coordination Center has developed a gaming portal featuring 15 educational modules adapted for visually impaired users. The materials have been abridged and optimized for audio perception, while the tests and interface are fully compatible with screen readers.
Viktoria highlighted the importance of this comprehensive approach: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to present our project to the library community. We hope that the Explore the Internet project will be implemented in libraries and prove valuable to their visitors, helping children navigate the digital world safely and confidently. We have designed the project with the psychological characteristics of today’s digital generations in mind: they value dynamic content, game-based learning, and immediate feedback, while still benefiting from clear guidance and adult support.”
According to the event organizers, the Coordination Center continues to strengthen its position each year as a key partner for libraries in the fields of digital safety and awareness.
The webinar also featured a number of other insightful presentations showcasing how libraries are evolving into centers for creating high-quality digital content for children. Experts shared their experience in developing interactive educational materials using artificial intelligence, described the work of digital volunteers in rural libraries, and explored how social media platforms can be used to deliver meaningful educational content. Participants also discussed research on children’s media consumption. According to findings by VTsIOM and the Alliance for the Protection of Children, nine out of ten parents report that their children use smart speakers on a daily basis, underscoring the importance of developing critical information literacy from an early age.
The webinar once again demonstrated that today’s libraries are far more than just repositories of books. They have become dynamic spaces where digital technologies help preserve cultural heritage, develop critical thinking, and create positive, safe content for children and families alike.
