Libraries of Ukraine for children as sociocultural centers of community

Abstract

The publication analyzes the activity of the modern children's library of Ukraine as a sociocultural phenomenon. A library is a universal sociocultural institute that aims to involve society into cultural values, to establish connections and interaction with society in general and with citizens in particular. In the early 2000s, sociocultural work of libraries was limited to leisure activity, however, nowadays, sociocultural functions of libraries have been considered from a wider perspective. Libraries for children that are an element of the library and information system of Ukraine have an important role in the process of socialization. The normative and legal acts that regulate the work of libraries for children and determine its place in community life were analyzed. The publication deals with various forms of interaction between libraries and the community. In particular, attention was paid to establishing social partnership, interaction with authorities and local self-government. Based on the research of sites and blogs of regional children's libraries, the National Library of Ukraine for children, the main directions of activity, forms of work and means of influence on the society were determined. Forms of work that shape cultural space and affect the community were defined.