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Russian & East European Studies

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Transliteration and Searching in Cyrillic

Transliteration is the rendering or conversion of one type of script to another (as opposed to transcription, which concerns the sounds letters make). Many libraries transliterate texts in Cyrillic scripts.

When searching, attempt queries in both transliterated and original text whenever possible. Texts in original language scripts, including Cyrillic, are not always included in all database or library records.
 
Transliteration systems can vary but most libraries in the United States use the ALA-LC Romanization Tables. Common tables include:

For other types of transliteration of Cyrillic scripts, additional tables referencing the ISO and GOST standards are available.

Library of Congress Resources

Beyond Georgetown's collections, the Library of Congress offers vast physical and electronic collections of materials related to Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies. 

The European Reading Room (Jefferson Buildng, Room LJ-249) is open to researchers to use the library's physical and electronic collections on-site. Staff are available to answer questions and to help you navigate the Library's holdings. Overviews of the Library's regional collections are available online, as well as lists of electronic resources that can be accessed by researchers when in the Library.

Researchers should expect to obtain a reader registration card in person before accessing collections and should review the Library of Congress guides for researchers before traveling to Capitol Hill.

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