The Fate of the Heads of the Scientific Library of Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University at the Turn of Era (1917–1922)

Abstract

The article examines the biographies and fates of the heads of the Scientific Library of Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University at the turn of the century in the period 1917–1922, when, against the background of socio-political and socio-economic transformations, the reorganization of its subordination, structure, staff and other components of activities. The funds of the State Archive of Odesa region contain historical primary sources that allow us to reconstruct individual fragments of their biographies. Based on the analysis of a wide range of historical sources and scientific literature, the biographies of three librarians who represented new generation of representatives of Odesa scientific corporation were studied. The factors that influenced the appointment of representatives of the new generation to the position of library manager and their activities were determined. The activities they carried out while holding the position of head of the library, as well as the results achieved by the library during a separate period of their leadership, were mentioned. The results of the prosopographic analysis of the figures of the library managers are given. An attempt was made to determine the social composition of the leaders as representatives of the library business and to trace their fate in the context of the vicissitudes of the specified period. The working conditions, material and household level and social status of the leaders are characterized. The general organizational principles, content and directions of activity of the Soviet government in the matter of reforming the library network of the higher school of Odesa are analyzed. Changes in the composition and position of library employees are summarized. The study is devoted to the study of little-known facts of the biographies of the forgotten figures of the heads of the library, who played an important role in the development of the library business during the era of radical changes in the state system and society. Contradictory tendencies of the policy of the Soviet government, which accompanied the development of the library business in Odesa and influenced the position of the heads of the libraries, were traced.