Library specialists having competencies in the field of modern information technologies and knowledge of information resources, capable to analyse and synthesize heterogeneous information, process data, solve non-standard tasks, are able to develop innovative trends, increase the importance and competitiveness of libraries in the information space. The purpose of this study is to determine the most important skills and knowledge of librarians for the development of new forms and trends in the activities of research libraries: assistant services to scientists, work with research data, creation of intellectual centres, centres of intellectual leisure, organization of communication platforms, etc. The author highlights the key knowledge necessary for librarian: knowledge of modern and advanced information technologies (social networks, cloud, mobile technologies, new generation analytics, etc.), knowledge of the world market of information resources, as well as technologies of collection and processing of information/data. The article presents competences of librarians in the research data management, who provide consulting and assistant services to scientists in the life cycle of research. It is determined that the research data management librarian should know the methods of data management plan preparation, management methods, categories, metadata standards and schemes, data classifications and identifiers, data citation requirements, copyright, data repositories, long-term data preservation technologies, etc. The author concludes that the possession of non-specialized over-professional (“soft”) skills (communication skills, emotional intelligence, thinking by “results” and “processes”, etc.) along with the complex of professional knowledge is the key to the improvement of efficiency and demand of libraries in the conditions of intensively developing environment.

The main theme of the 85th IFLA World Congress – the International Federation of Library Organizations and Institutions, which was held in Athens, Greece in 2019, was "Libraries: A Dialogue for Change". Once again, the congress brought together professionals from many countries of the world to solve the problems facing libraries of various forms. Their solution is achieved by developing common approaches to challenges at the global level (projects “Global Vision”, “Library Map of the World”, etc.), sharing best practices and methods, innovative forms of user service and resources generating. The purpose of this review is to present keynote reports delivered at the IFLA World Congress in 2019 on global trends in the development of research libraries. The selection of the reports was carried out by expert evaluation by the author, as well as some materials published on the Congress website. As a result, it was determined that libraries choose various ways and new methods of work to support researchers: by analyzing user needs; integrating librarians into the research life cycle; implementing the principles of open science and open access; developing discovery services and expanding the functionality of information resources; using artificial intelligence technologies, augmented and virtual reality, etc. This allows the creation of popular research support services, improving the quality of services, expanding the repertoire of information resources / products and services provided, modernize traditional forms and methods of work, and fully satisfy the information needs of users.

Establishing of library development strategy is the most important stage in solving the tasks of adapting to the changing environment and increasing demand of users. The purpose of this study is to determine the vectors of strategic development of libraries (public libraries and libraries of scientific and educational institutions). Basing on the results of the analysis, the author identifies nine essential strategic directions and ten vectors, revealing the prospects for the development of libraries, being not only the information repositories and library and information centres, but also working, creative spaces, communication platforms, places for renting equipment, startup sites, etc. The article presents the specific features of public libraries, which are close interaction with the local community, promotion of intercultural and intergenerational dialogue, as well as socialization of the population. Strategies of libraries of scientific and educational institutions much attention pay to the integration of librarians in the research process, creation of analytical products, development of services for scientometric analysis and information support for open scientific research. Libraries strive to serve readers and visitors with the use of modern information technologies, organize spatial environment that ensure comfortable stay, provide resources and services that meet the changing preferences of users, which allows creating positive image of the library and attracting readers.