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.

No abstract

During the pre-war and war [WWII] years, the libraries took part in accomplishing military and defense tasks: promoted knowledge on air and chemical defense, sanitation, etc. The libraries participated in universal military training of population. They cooperated closely with Osoaviakhim (Society for the Promotion of Aviation and Chemical Defense) that was publishing a number of specialized publications intensively used by the libraries in their popularization work. The libraries contributed to the country’s defensive power both theoretically and practically. They conformed to the decrees of the Council of People’s Commissars and The State Defense Committee (in the first war days). The author specifies the main vectors of the libraries’ interaction with the Red Army divisions, training of new recruitees, front support. The promotion of military defense knowledge by the libraries all over the country including the capital libraries and the libraries in Soviet republics is also discussed. The article is based on archival materials listed in the bibliography attached.

No abstract