The paper deals with an estimation of the contribution the Russian Public Library named after I.S. Turgenev has made in preserving the Russian language, culture and traditions under conditions of emigration. The paper reveals the historical role of the outstanding representative of the Russian culture, I.S. Turgenev and G.A. Lopatin, in the organizing the Library and the direction of its activities as the spiritual center of the Russian intelligentsia of Paris of the late years of the XIX century. Within the period of Russian emigration and until 1939, the Russian intelligentsia maintained its position as a Russian center, expanding the circle of readers. However, this stage of its history has not yet been fully explored and described by researchers. The library throughout its existence sought to remain out of politics, combining all layers of the emigrant society environment. In its heyday, the library became an educational center for a younger generation of emigrants in order to transfer the traditional Russian spiritual values. The organization of charity evenings, holidays for children contributed to rallying of emigrant circles, facilitating the psychological state, made it possible to join in the Russian culture and traditions.