Modern libraries and the challenges

Abstract

The authors discuss the main challenges for the libraries related to the libraries’ mission, their role and place in the modern society. The brief historical review of librarianship is given; the key factors of its transformation are revealed. The focus is made on the libraries – government authorities interaction and, in particular, on the so-called optimization of public libraries which primarily means the decreasing library network. The well-shaped state policy in librarianship is lacking today which impedes development of an upgraded unified concept. By examining the ratio of information and cultural &educational functions of the public libraries, the authors conclude on the need for some balance based on social demand, target and resource potential of each library. The transformation of the concept of the library profession and related problems of library education as the foundation for preservation and development of human resources in the library sphere, are also discussed. The libraries’ principal response to the challenges lies in the theoretical substantiation, testing in practice, mobility and relevance.