Artek’s Generation 2084 forum recently held a discussion entitled Books: Past, Present and Future. The list of participants included young people from the profile group Generation 2084 and young people from Artek’s Lazurny camp, while the list of experts included Vice President of the League of Education Tatyana Zhukova, Director for Marketing at Ridero Publishing Service Polina Bynova, as well as Artek’s librarians and methodologists.

The profile group Generation 2084 carried out actual research during its session. Within the group’s framework, the young people organized a number of surveys and tests on Artek children’s favorite books and beloved and cherished fairytales, as well as visions of the perfect modern library. Their findings were made public during the discussion. Thus, the list of Artek’s top 100 books included works by Alexander Pushkin, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Alexander Grin and J.K. Rowling. Many of those surveyed described their perfect library of the future as a large space equipped with electronic catalogues and audio guides that offers both electronic and paperback versions of books, which is equally convenient for studying, creativity, recreation and communicating with like-minded people.

Vice President of the League of Education Tatyana Zhukova highly commended the young people’s work, noting that Artek children intuitively follow many global trends.

“The world is becoming less stable and more complex,” she said. “We have to get creative; have to act fast. Now is the time for creators, not executors! In order to act quickly, you have to think quickly. A new architecture for education is now being created; the definition of ‘third place’ is being invented. The library is now becoming this ‘third place’ where you can get creative, where you feel you brain thinking differently. Today, augmented reality is all around us. South Korea, Japan, Australia and Singapore are now introducing robots in libraries. Despite this, the human dimension, which includes books and reading – is still ahead. No matter how augmented our reality becomes, this ‘smart’ life should remain just as lively! Creativity is important, because this life is for us, not for robots.”

The participants also discussed the opportunities new technology provides for aspiring authors. Director for Marketing at Ridero Publishing Service Polina Bynova told the Artek youth that only 10 years ago, it was technically difficult to publish a book, but now modern services allow any writer to publish their own book in electronic or paperback form without having to spend a great deal of money.

This allows many people to try their hand at writing, and Artek youth were offered this opportunity as well.

“Everyone is entitled to write,” said Natalya Podtelkova, curator of the Book of Artek project. “Writing boosts creativity. Moreover, when you first start writing, you develop a greater appreciation for books, as you get to realize how much time and soul has been put in to create it. I wish you much creativity!”

While reviewing the discussion, the young people came to the conclusion that books have always been and will remain sources for knowledge and self-development, providing leisure and a way to communicate with other people. In the near future, books will still be available in both electronic and paperback form.

The results of the research and surveys carried out by the Generation 2084 group will serve as the foundation for future book-based Artek projects.