January 28 marks the 85th anniversary of Mrs. Inna Stepchenkova, a veteran of the National Library of Belarus, a highly qualified specialist in librarianship, a real professional and nothing short of a wonderful person, who is a great inspiration to her colleagues.
As soon as she finished Pukhovichi Secondary School in 1951, Inna Stepchenkova entered the Library Department of the Minsk State Pedagogical Institute named after Maxim Gorky. As a young specialist, she began her work at the BSSR State Library named after V.I. Lenin in the position of Librarian in 1956.
Mrs. Stepchenkova continued her professional activity in the Acquisition Department in 1962. Here, in the position of Senior Bibliographer, she accepted and controlled accessions of periodicals under the copyright and legal deposit. “An initiative, thoughtful employee with perfect knowledge of the working process,” - this is how colleagues characterized Inna Stepchenkova's work at this department.
The accumulated work experience and numerous professional achievements allowed I. Stepchenkova to become Head of the Legal Deposit Section of the Acquisition Department in 1969.
Inna Stepchenkova continued her career path in the Book Storing Department in 1975 and later became its Head. During this period, she focused on the organization and preservation of library collections and took part in the development of the Unified Profile for the Acquisition of National Publications for the Main and Auxiliary Collections of the BSSR State Library named after V.I. Lenin. She also actively participated in the library’s research on the formation and use of the collections.
Having worked for 7 years as Head of the Book Storing Department, Inna Stepchenkova left her job on December 30, 1983, to join her husband, Evgeny, who was sent to the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.
In July 1986, I. Stepchenkova returned to our dear Library to the Science Department, where she worked until retirement. She successfully dealt with the scientific management of labor, and the issues of advanced training of library employees.
Inna Stepchenkova's professional experience and accumulated knowledge are reflected in numerous publications and presentations. Her scientific interest included the acquisition of library stocks, scientific management of labor, etc. I. Stepchenkova was also Editor of the bulletin board newspaper Book to the Masses.
In addition to her fruitful career, Inna Stepchenkova actively participated in the community work of library staff. She was repeatedly elected Member of the local committee, was its Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson of the Library Trade-Union Committee, Member of the Party Bureau and the Joint Committee of the Library Trade-Union of the city of Minsk.
For long-term fruitful work with the BSSR State Library named after V.I. Lenin Inna Stepchenkova has been presented a number of awards. She was awarded For Excellent Work badge in 1969 and Veteran of Labour Medal summarizing the results of her work. She was awarded honorary certificates of the Ministry of Culture of the USSR and the Central Committee of the Cultural Workers Trade-Union of the Ministry of Culture of the BSSR.
Administration and colleagues remember Inna Stepchenkova as a modest, principled, critical to herself and her juniors, whose hallmark has always been exceptional diligence and can-do attitude.
According to the employees of the National Library of Belarus, who keep in touch with Inna Stepchenkova, she remains a person of an open heart, creative nature, striving for continuous self-development and self-realization. She is the same style icon her colleagues have always considered her to be.
Here is what one of the former library employees, Lyudmila Vasilyevna Skibina, recalls: “... Nature generously endowed her with everlasting feminine charms, impeccable manners, intellectuality, and excellent taste. That amazing self-control of hers allowed her to become the leader of a large team that carries a divine mission of protecting eternity. But protection sometimes requires nonfeminine efforts. Nevertheless, she always remains an elegant lady, refined and sophisticated. Her impeccable graceful physique could be seen from afar, and when approaching, you could feel the warmth of her sweet soulful affection... ”.
The staff of the National Library of Belarus wholeheartedly congratulates Mrs. Stepchenkova on her anniversary and wishes her good health, prosperity, inexhaustible energy, and long life.
Library Science Department
