Part of the Digital Library items is withdrawn from the open access in compliance with the updates in the Civil Code effective since 1 Jan 2008. According to Part 4 of the Civil Code, 'In case the library provides free temporary admission to works legally introduced to the public, this admission does not require author’s or another copyright holder’s consent and does not imply royalty. It should be assured that digital copies of items are only provided for free temporary admission in the premises of a library and secured against digital copying.'

If access to a Universal collection item is restricted, the item is available to read

• in the reading room of the digital library (Moscow)
• in the Reading Room № 2 for the General Stock of the Library (Moscow)
• in the Reading rooms for the department of dissertations (Khimki)
• in the Reading room for rare books (Book Museum) (Moscow)
• in the Reading room for library science, bibliography and book studies (Moscow)
• in virtual reading rooms of RSL