In the days leading up to the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg, the management of the State Hermitage proposed that the Student Club of the Youth Educational Center organize a group of student volunteers who might be stationed in the halls of the museum and provide advice and assistance to visitors. This work was seen as especially important during the anniversary celebrations from 23 to 30 May 2003 and during the summer period.

A group of 23 volunteers was brought together from various sections from among those who had been active in the Hermitage for a minimum of three years. They were given a two month training led by Senior Researcher V. Ya. Snegovskaya. This training program reinforced the students' knowledge of the museum, its major collections and masterpieces. A number of lessons were devoted to learning the layout of the Hermitage as a whole. Upon completing the course and successfully passing a test, the volunteers set about working in the museum rooms. It immediately became clear that the presence of such consultants for the public was a necessity. A huge flow of visitors speaking a variety of languages had come for the city's anniversary and filled the rooms of the museum to capacity. They needed smart and subtle 'direction'. The questions which the volunteers had to answer and problems which they helped resolve varied in degree of complexity from 'where is the exit?' to summoning first aid or explaining the subject of a painting. A special challenge to the young volunteers' knowledge of the museum and friendly disposition was posed by the anniversary night of the 27th/28th May when the Hermitage was open to visitors around the clock. The management of the Hermitage took note of the students' splendid work during the anniversary celebrations and gave them gifts and letters of appreciation.

The tradition of volunteer work which was born in the days of the anniversary celebrations is important for the museum and also for the students of the Youth Center themselves, and this tradition will not be broken in the future.

We should also note that in addition to Hermitage students there is a large group of volunteers from the St Petersburg city administration serving as advisers to the public in the museum.