This paper reviews the promotion of literacy and the development of library services in the multinational, multilingual republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics since the October Revolution as a model for state or regionally centralized services that promote local arrangements while serving a single national purpose in multiethnic and multilingual developing nations. Consistent application of the principle of service to the needs of readers is credited with success in raising the literacy rate and the development of libraries within these republics. Objectives subordinated to this guiding principle include the development of guidelines of library service in the political and cultural education of the masses, identification of the content and forms of service with due account of the regional specifics of the republics, establishment of an integrated network of public research and special libraries, training and education of library personnel, balanced collection development, development of a regional bibliography, and the promotion of library administration. (RAA)