Get a Reader Pass

Any citizen of the Russian Federation or of a foreign state aged 14 and above may obtain a Reader Pass upon presentation of an ID. Reader registration:

• In-person

• Remotely

Via the mobile app

Via the RSL website

In-Person Reader Registration

Main Building

Khimki Complex

Reading Room of the RSL Centre for Oriental Literature at the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Centre

Reader Registration

To register in person at the Main Building, please first complete the form on the tablet, then proceed to an RSL staff member who will take your photograph and issue your plastic Reader Pass.

At the Khimki Complex and at the Reading Room of the Centre for Oriental Literature at the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Centre, Reader Passes are issued by RSL staff.

In-Person Reader Registration at the Russian State Library (in Russian)

Documents Required for In-Person Registration

• Russian citizens: Russian passport

• Foreign citizens: Passport with visa (if there is no visa in the passport, a Russian translation of the given name and family name must be provided)

• Candidates and Doctors of Sciences: Russian passport, plus the diploma certifying their advanced degree

Remote Reader Registration

Remote reader registration service is available only for the citizens of Russian Federation.

Remote registration, registration for and issuance of an electronic Reader Pass are carried out via the Reader Pass mobile app and the RSL official website.

To register remotely with the RSL, users must have a verified account on the Gosuslugi portal (in Russian).

Registering with the library and obtaining an electronic Reader Pass via the Reader Pass mobile app: Install the app

Reader Pass

A Reader Pass (physical/electronic) grants the right of personal use of the library only; transferring it to another person is strictly prohibited.

• A physical Reader Pass is issued upon in-person registration at the RSL and provides access to library resources and services both on-site and online. It entitles the holder to use all Reading Rooms and reader areas.

• An electronic Reader Pass is issued upon remote registration with the RSL via the Reader Pass mobile app and provides access to library resources and services both on-site and online. It entitles the holder to use all Reading Rooms and reader areas, except:

• Research Department of Rare Books

• Pashkov House

• Centre for Oriental Literature.

To visit these locations you need to obtain a physical Reader Pass during a personal visit to the library. A passport is required for registration.

• With an electronic Reader Pass issued on the RSL website, you can access the library's online-only services:

-       Order documents remotely to a Reading Room

-       Access electronic resources remotely, including licensed subscriptions purchased for readers (where permitted by licence agreements): https://search.rsl.ru/ru/networkresources/index

-       Request electronic copies of documents from the RSL collections remotely, sent to your email.

To gain entry to the RSL, in addition to this Reader Pass, you will need to obtain a physical pass during a personal visit to the library or via the mobile app.

A Reader Pass is valid for 5 years. Once it expires, you will need to re-register either in person or remotely.

If you lose your physical Reader Pass, you can request a replacement.

The fee for a duplicate is 100 roubles.