The corporate library activities in the organization structure

Abstract

The paper is based on the revealed domestic publications and analysis of vast publications in the foreign professional periodicals. Internet-based resources, e. g. www-sites of diverse organizations were analyzed, and the data on efficient Russian corporate libraries was identified. The national library studies exclude corporate libraries from the traditional official library typology. The national classification system (Library Bibliographic Classification, LBC) as well, does not envisage typology for the corporate libraries. The author does not possess statistical data. Some experts relate the concept to “corporations”, others see the corporate libraries as former “technical” (sectoral, industrial) libraries. However, the analysis findings demonstrate that this term can be primarily related to the concept of “corporate culture”. The corporate libraries make part of corporations, financial and trade companies, banks, foundations, joint-stock companies, etc. The prerequisites of extensive uprise of these libraries in Russia emerged in 1990s. The few publications on the topic are discussed along with the information available from Internet resources. The author concludes that the corporate libraries belong to special libraries, and within the latter group, the corporate libraries should be separated. Both state-funded and non-government organizations have got the libraries within their structure. The author attempts to formulate the definition for the new type of libraries, examines their functions and characteristic features, staff and users. The examples of the place of these libraries within the organizational structure are provided.