New functions of libraries in the 21 century

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Baku state university

New functions of libraries in the 21 century

Shahla Ibrahim Huseynova,

associate Professor, Doctor of Philosophy

Baku

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 21st century, pessimistic views about the mission of libraries have begun to spread, and various views on the «closure» of libraries circulate. Even experts take part in such discussions. The article comments on the prospects for new areas of library and information activities in response to allegations that libraries will «disappear» (close). Since the formation of a civilized human society, libraries have been created and changed the forms and methods of information services at different stages of history, but retained their main goals and objectives and carried out a progressive mission. Just as the advent of paper and the invention of printing technology had a profound effect on this process, computerization and digitalization have had a great impact and marked a new stage in our development. The first component of a cultural society is culture, and if there is no culture, then there is no cultural «society». Libraries are the historical memory of a cultural society and the organizer of the scientific and information processes of each historical period. Based on this concept, the analysis of the topic is based on the method of historical comparison. With the challenges of the 21st century, libraries are taking on new functions, forming «new lines of activity in form and content» in research libraries, public libraries and children's libraries. In this article, we have tried to analyze the classification and prospects of these new directions. The article also reflects the trend towards libraries taking on more functions as institutionalized social institutions. The importance of libraries as institutionalized institutions and the opportunities for them to take the lead in informatization of society are also discussed. It also analyzes the historical mission of libraries in the 21st century and discusses the importance of metric activity in the context of modern requirements, the experience of libraries in this area, and the organization of fast and reliable information services.

Keywords: Libraries of the XXI century, new functions, scientific libraries, public libraries, children's libraries.

Анотація

Нові функції бібліотек у XXI столітті

Шахла Ібрагім Гусейнова,

доцент, доктор філософських наук, Бакинський державний університет (Азербайджан, Баку)

Висвітлюють різні погляди на «закриття» бібліотек. У таких дискусіях беруть участь експерти. У статті коментуються перспективи нових напрямів бібліотечно-інформаційної діяльності у відповідь на твердження, що бібліотеки «зникнуть» (закриються). З моменту становлення цивілізованого людського суспільства бібліотеки створювалися та змінювали форми та методи інформаційного обслуговування на різних етапах історії, але зберігали свої основні цілі та завдання та виконували прогресивну місію. Так само, як поява паперу та винахід технології друкарства справили глибокий вплив на цей процес, комп'ютеризація та цифро - візація мали великий вплив і охарактеризували новий етап нашого розвитку. Першим компонентом культурного суспільства є культура, і якщо немає культури, немає і культурного «суспільства». Бібліотеки є історичною пам'яттю культурного суспільства та організатором науково-інформаційних процесів кожного історичного періоду. Виходячи із цієї концепції, аналіз теми будується на основі методу історичного зіставлення. У міру викликів XXI століття бібліотеки беруть він нові функції, формуються нові напрями діяльності за формою та змістом у наукових бібліотеках, громадських бібліотеках і дитячих бібліотеках. У цій статті ми спробували проаналізувати класифікацію та перспективи цих нових напрямків. У статті також відображена тенденція до того, щоб бібліотеки брали на себе більше функцій як інституціоналізовані соціальні інститути. Також обговорюються важливість бібліотек як інсти - туціоналізованих установ та можливості для них взяти на себе ініціативу у процесі інформатизації суспільства. Також аналізується історична місія бібліотек у ХХІ столітті та обговорюється значення метричної діяльності у контексті сучасних вимог, досвід бібліотек у цій сфері, організація швидкого та надійного інформаційного обслуговування.

Ключові слова: Бібліотеки ХХІ сторіччя, нові функції, наукові бібліотеки, публічні бібліотеки, дитячі бібліотеки.

Main part

Introduction. In the 21st century, the social functions of libraries will be preserved. Let's take a look at these features. Social functions are external functions that, depending on the object of influence, go beyond the internal boundaries of the library, directly or indirectly affecting society.

Technological functions are also important, and this function also keeps up with modernity. This is an internal activity that does not go beyond the boundaries of the library in accordance with the object of influence, serves as a necessary condition for the library to fulfill its social functions, as well as to ensure the library's activities. Required in the required mode or appropriate quality. Technological features may not be perceived by society or be unaware of their existence. They are a very important means of «library production» and are used in the production of library and information products.

Social functions are defined by librarians as follows: Ideological and educational (ideological), Cultural and educational, Informational and Hedonistic (hedone - pleasure). It should be noted that these functions retain their place in library and information activities, and in some cases undergo technological transformation.

Culture is a set of material and spiritual values, a system of values created and acquired jointly by human society in the process of historical development. Cultural institutions are of great importance in preserving these values and passing them on to future generations. The mission of libraries in this direction deserves special attention.

Undoubtedly, one of the important components of culture are libraries. Since the emergence of a cultural society, libraries that accompany people have become an important attribute of a cultural society. True, since the beginning of the 21st century, pessimistic views on the mission of libraries have begun to spread, and, unfortunately, even specialists participate in such discussions.

Those who «prophesy» the «disappearance» of libraries probably do not understand that the first component of a cultural society is culture, and if there is no culture, then there is no «cultural society». Libraries are the historical memory of a cultural society and the organizer of the scientific and information processes of each historical period.

Changes in the form and content of information needs and information services in modern times, their transformation are understandable and important to study. The history of culture shows that at different times the process of scientific and technological progress affected various areas of culture and underwent certain transformations. Gutenberg's invention of the printing press gradually shaped the printing industry, and books became a business in their own right outside of specialized libraries. In the process, the book has evolved from an integral part of the culture to a more commercial entity.

A historical look at the new functions of libraries allows you to determine the functionality of libraries in different historical periods. Let's make a small historical digression, thinking that the landscape in this regard will be more complete.

True, from the moment of its inception, libraries took on various primary and secondary functions, and at certain stages of development, these areas either continued to function independently (printing after the invention of the printing press), or «disappeared» as a type of activity. (calligraphic work). Also, those who are involved in the history of librarianship know that the problems of reading culture and the organization of mass reading, libraries began to function mainly at the beginning of the 20th century, and in the early Middle

Ages, libraries did not have such functions. Historical experience shows that development itself brings new opportunities and new requirements, and libraries, as a social institution, in turn, also take on new functions.

It is important to approach this problem from the point of view of the typology or functionality of the libraries. Different types of libraries are exploring and implementing new forms of service using modern technologies. In particular, the participation of libraries in social networks has become dominant in the regional context. The activities of public libraries in this area are noteworthy.

- Bulk Libraries:

In the 20th century, during the Soviet era, the «coming» of readers to libraries was a «serious statistic» of activity. However, the ability of libraries to «go out» to the reader through social networks has created a new reality.

The focus is on the activity of public libraries in social networks in recent years. This includes necessary activities such as promotion of the library collection, information services and social and cultural activities. Libraries maintain their reputation as a trusted source on social platforms, otherwise there are no other information-centric institutions to dominate social media or they are special. The library can always dominate if there is a conflict between media and library content on social networks.

For example, during one rainy month, water leaked from the roof of a school in a remote area, causing media discussion. The news was widely discussed on social networks and shaped public opinion about the region. In the comments to the news, the librarian shared photos of several modern schools in the region, and the discussion ended there.

This move showed that it was wrong to draw large conclusions about the «roof leaking school accident» and that the socio-economic image of this region cannot be judged from this event.

The central libraries of the regions monitor the information environment, raise social and cultural issues and take an active part in shaping public opinion.

- Children's Libraries:

The important mission of children's and school libraries, unfortunately, is not widely discussed. However, in the process of cultural development, it is obvious that the educational and cultural work carried out by these institutions is extremely important.

The concept of children's libraries also arises at later stages of development, or libraries take on this social order and fulfill a new mission at a new stage in the development of society.

Let's accept that it is a reality of our time that «early» children can become familiar with digital devices, control «gadgets» and «tablets» before they learn to read and write. This reality is important to take into account when transferring knowledge to children already at primary school age. But isn't it too late for children to get acquainted with the «first book»? Is the cultural community ready for the «disappearance» of children's classical reading habits?

Children's libraries are trying to be active participants in the process of forming a culture of reading, and a lot of experience has been accumulated in this direction.

As you know, children spend a lot of time on «websites» and «infected» with the information that they receive «as a result». In this regard, it is important that children's libraries be engaged in «webmetric» activities, the creation of «Children's World» databases, the study and analysis of existing databases. Otherwise, the solution of important social and psychological problems, such as the management of reading (knowledge), will remain in question.

The wide activity of children's and school libraries in the field of webmetry can lead to the creation in the virtual space of a large number of «children's worlds» or their corresponding databases that parents trust, thereby properly regulating the direction of children's information. It should be noted that the management of children's reading has nothing to do with the issue of «freedom of information» and «human rights».

Looking back at history, it becomes clear that libraries have always served society, its rules, ideology, culture, morality and ethics, and have been directly involved in the education, upbringing and intellectual development of society. In this sense, the role of libraries in the formation of modern youth and the development of society as a whole is great. This role is still important today.

In the Middle Ages, those who could not read or write well were called illiterate, and those who could read and write well were called literate. At a later stage, those who could read and write well were called «highly cultured people.» Features of modernity show that the rapid increase in the mass of information has reduced the habit of reading widely, and consumers of information are prone to small and episodic information. Year after year, classic reading habits decline and new ones emerge. Children's and school libraries should pay attention to the dynamics of the process, conduct webmetric analysis, work on increasing the «share» in the process of providing information.

- «Special» libraries:

Our modern era looks very promising in the direction of Special Libraries. With the introduction of new technologies, new opportunities are opening up for information users with disabilities. It should be noted that the «audiobook» project for visually impaired readers became popular in a short time and won the sympathy of a wide readership.

We are seeing a trend to expand the scope of Special Libraries with the use of artificial intelligence. It will be important to conduct independent research in this area and comprehend the concept of library and information activities, special libraries and special services.

May be the object of independent research, taking into account the specifics of the activities of Special Libraries. Attention is drawn to the research of Professor L. Kunantz in this direction.

- Scientific Libraries:

New «nuances» in the direction of the activities of scientific libraries in the XXI century are attracting more and more attention, and in the article we intend to devote more space to this direction. Thus, at first glance, scientific libraries, as it were, went beyond the traditional concept of a library and formed a new, «image» of a scientific center.

The «commercialization» of information makes scientific libraries relevant and supports their development. Attempts of scientific libraries to change their name «in the course of reform» in some cases do not change the essence. This is a library, regardless of the name of the enterprise, which is engaged in the collection, processing, protection of information and the provision of services through transmission in time and space.

Currently, bibliometric services, «science - metric» services and «information reliability» services are prominent in scientific libraries. Virtually all research libraries now use metrics and participate in the evaluation process.

It is known that libraries have been engaged in bibliographic activities and analysis of bibliographic statistics for a long time. The use of modern ICT has significantly accelerated this laborious work and increased its efficiency. And also there are new opportunities.

The reliability of information is one of the most important directions in the provision of information in the 21st century. The existence of widely used «anti-plagiarism» programs in this area, the verification of incoming information materials has become widespread. Many enterprises create special bodies and sub-bodies to organize activities in this direction, the problem of copyright for content is becoming more and more urgent, and the uniqueness of information in information arrays is important. Institutions engaged in such activities, in many cases, approach the process technologically and do not even understand the essence of what is happening. When libraries, as institutionalized institutions, see and realize the importance of the process in the information space and environment within the information service.

The concept of information carrier or content in scientific libraries is changing faster than in other libraries. According to historical traditions, the book has long been a «single whole» as a carrier of information. The rapid obsolescence of information and the formation of new information units necessitate systematization in this area. Statistics of scientific journals, scientific articles and scientific monographs is becoming increasingly important in scientific libraries, and it is envisaged that they should be in the digital space and in the public domain. At present, the information unit is not a carrier of information, but the information itself, which creates stereotypes that are different from traditional book and booklet representations and requires new approaches.

In a globalized information environment, the definition of conditions and the application of international law legitimize the process of performing new functions. Libraries can play an important role in managing accelerated information processes, the potential of professionals and anticipating these prospects.

Conclusion. Libraries, created in the most ancient (lullaby) periods of the development of society, have made a great contribution to the development and enrichment of the culture of mankind, have played a special role in the preservation and transmission of cultural values from generation to generation, providing the function of culture. Great thinkers, scientists and cultural figures of the world emphasize the role of libraries in the development of human culture. The book, which is the main instrument of human culture, originated in the early stages of development, kept pace with society up to our time, was formed over time and became the memory of mankind. Thanks to this memory, the knowledge created by mankind was passed down from generation to generation. In addition to reflecting the material and spiritual life of the people, the book had a significant impact on the social sciences - economics, politics, culture, ethics, education and upbringing, and was directly involved in the formation and development of human culture. It has been institutionalized over the millennia.

Although the book has changed its «historical forms», as a carrier of information it has served and continues to serve as a common memory of a civilized human society. Libraries have been the main organizers of this work, and there is currently no alternative.

As can be seen, the forecasts of library and information activities in the 21st century are very broad. The growing role of information in society, in turn, poses new challenges. New forecasts for the development of library and information activities can be classified as follows.

1. If there is a state order for the activities of libraries as a social institution, libraries will continue this function in the form of studying and applying new opportunities.

2. A deeper analysis of information about the functionality of libraries is needed, and libraries will expand this type of service in their activities.

3. Libraries are becoming the center of metric analysis and will retain their positions in this area without alternatives.

The commercialization of information services along several lines has given rise to the perception that «there is no need for library and information activities», which creates a false picture. The phenomenon of full commercialization of information services has also led to serious complications in society and requires serious reforms. This problem is still relevant today.

Another important feature is that although informatization has the same impact on library and information institutions, the tasks that different libraries set themselves are fundamentally different. The relevance of these tasks, in turn, increases every year.

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