The Military Scientific Library of Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary

For the first time, the findings of the integrated study of the history of the Military Scientific Library of the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy are presented. The study covers its development since 1820 when it was founded as the library of the Artillery School up to the period of 1863-1917 when it became the specialized library of the Mikhail Artillery Academy and School. Printed catalogs of books of the Military Scientific Library of the Academy and School 1871 and 1895 are characterized. For the first time, other library’s catalogs are analyzed to be introduced into scientific use. The author characterizes and compares book catalogs of other universal military scientific libraries (those of General Staff, General Staff Nikolaevskaya Academy) with the catalogs of Mikhailovskaya Academy Military Scientific Library) and concludes that the latter has acquired the most complete book collection on artillery in the country. The collection matches science potential of this educational institution. Many prominent researchers well-known in Russia and abroad have taught at the Academy and the School. Their works are available not only from the Academy and School Library, but also can be found in the book collections of many libraries subordinate to the Military Ministry.This study is to expand the idea of military scientific libraries of the country, the knowledge of their history, collection development principles. Its findings will be useful to librarians of military educational institutions and academic libraries in the aspect of materials selection and efficient collection development.