Factors of conservation of the readers’ card catalogues in the municipal libraries in the expert assessments

The article gives a comparative analysis of electronic and card library readers’ catalogues, characterizes the functions of the paper catalogue as an important component of the reference search apparatus of the library information institution and the source of reference library servicing of different categories of information consumers. The views of the prominent theorists of the modern Russian library science (E.R. Sukiasyan, L.B. Zuparova, etc.) concerning the usefulness of parallel introduction of traditional catalogues and their digital versions have been analyzed. The key factors that condition the libraries’ decision in favor of maintaining paper catalogues in actual condition are considered. In the author’s conclusion, keeping card catalogues in the epoch of digital transformation of information environment is guaranteed by the set of conditions the basic of which is the demand from the library readers.