Kaliningrad Central Library Network is a network of municipal libraries including A. P. Chekhov Central City Library and twenty of its branches including six children’s libraries. It boasts 776,000 copies of books, magazines, newspapers and electronic documents. The library regularly receives 320 periodicals and has its own comprehensive electronic catalog. The library’s patrons enjoy free use of its system of catalogs and reference directories, the electronic catalog of books and articles, full-text legal reference databases “Garant” and “ConsultantPlus,” general and special encyclopedias, reference books and dictionaries including reprints of the famous Brockhaus and Ephron Encyclopaediay, latest books in economics, political science, history, law, philosophy, psychology and literary criticism, digests, press cuttings on local history, economy and arts, and a selection of video materials. The librarians are especially proud of the library’s collection of books and materials on the history of East Prussia, which includes photo albums with pictures, maps, diagrams and drawings.

A. P. Chekhov Central City Library in Kaliningrad was opened in 1946 and originally was comprised of two rooms: a book depositary and a circulating library with the staff of four people. In 1954, it was named after the famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov. In 1990, the library moved from its old home to 39, Moskovsky Avenue, and in 1969, it became the Central City Library. Since 1998, the library has been part of the Pushkin Library project, a major charity campaign, initiated and sponsored by the Open Society Institute and Soros Foundation and aimed at stocking state libraries with new books produced by Russia’s leading publishers and materials in electronic format. In 2003, the library launched the Hall of Electronic Documents where patrons can work with electronic databases containing 200,000 bibliographical references for books and articles available in the library, browse through reference books and encyclopedias on CD-ROMs, search through full-text legal reference databases, and look for information on the Internet.

On November 22, 2002, the library opened its Internet access and training center. The Center held many educational seminars and training courses both for the alumni of American exchange programs and municipal culture workers.

ON December 16, 2002, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow officiated the launch of the American Literature Hall were patrons can find books and other materials on American culture, economy, history and education, as well as meet with Americans, learn about American educational programs, attend meetings of the English Club, exhibitions, presentations, international conferences, training seminars and other events.

Since April 2006, the computer center of A. P. Chekhov Central City Library has been part of the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program, aimed at providing underserved and low-income population groups with computer literacy training and free Internet access.

For more information, please visit the official website of A. P. Chekhov Central City Library at www.kaliningradlib.ru