Fundamental Digital Library ‘Russian Literature and Folklore’:
State of the Art

Konstantin V. Vigursky, Eugene A. Gorny, Igor A. Pilshchikov
Institute of World Literature (Russian Academy of Sciences)
Scientific Research and Development Centre ‘Informregistr’

The Fundamental Digital Library (FDL for short) is a multi-purpose network-based information system, accumulating data of various nature (as texts, sounds, images, etc.) pertaining to the field of Russian literature (from the eleventh to the twentieth century) and Russian folklore, as well as the history of Russian literature and folklore studies.

FDL is, firstly, a repository of texts (primary and secondary sources, works of reference), and, secondly, an efficacious instrument of textual analysis. Information being presented in an electronic form, and modern software provide students of literature and wider audience with essentially new means (as compared with traditional ones) to operate with a huge array of information.

This digital library is called 'fundamental', for it is designed to provide for a universal diapason and comprehensiveness of the materials pertaining to the chosen topics. Of course, such a task cannot be accomplished in a moment: FDL is a dynamic system developing in accordance with the needs of the professional sphere which the Library is intended to serve.

Brief description, first experience and perspective tasks are given.

About authors

Konstantin V. Vigursky - Ph.D., FDL Director,
e-mail:vigur@feb-web.ru

Eugene A. Gorny - Director of Public Relations,
e-mail: gorny@feb-web.ru

Igor A. Pilshchikov - Ph.D., Editor-in-chief,
e-mail: pilshch@feb-web.ru

The Institute of World Literature Russian Academy of Sciences
Povarskaya street 25a, Moscow, Russia 121069
Phone: (095)202-9437 (Department of Information Technologies)
Fax: (095)202-9437

Scientific Research and Development Centre ‘Informregistr’
Bolshaya Cherkizovskaya street 103-105, Moscow, Russia 107553
Phone: (095)160-9371 (Department of Electronic Publications)
Fax: (095)160-9348