Confronted by enormous financial problems in the late 1980s, many Russian libraries were obliged to find ways of earning money in order to survive and to maintain their collections. The State Library for Foreign Literature was one of the first to break out of the stranglehold imposed by Lenin’s ideal, ‘Libraries - free of charge for everyone’. The Arts Department led the way to the introduction of paid services, over and above basic library services which remain free. Paid services include picture research, special loans, and photocopying, but also classes for children in foreign languages and art to supplement education in school, and courses for trainee teachers. Fees are reduced or even waived to ensure that services are accessible to those on low incomes.