Innovative activity and transformational processes in development of public libraries in Ukraine under the influence of world trends of digital society and current realities

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to highlight the peculiarities of innovative changes in the activities of contemporary public libraries in Ukraine, related to the digitalisation of society, and to identify the main trends of their development considering domestic realities such as full-scale military actions, information, and cyber warfare, reforms in the provision of cultural services. The research methodology involves the application of general scientific and special methods, namely, methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, and generalisation, as well as the method of documentary and content analysis, which allows for achieving the stated goal. The scientific novelty of the work. The study identifies the main trends in the development of public libraries in the digital age, specifically in the context of domestic realities, and substantiates the peculiarities of innovative changes in public libraries in Ukraine, both during the state of war and as trends of post-war revival and modernisation. Public libraries in this context are considered socio-cultural institutions that contribute to community and individual development, providing informational, educational, and cultural-artistic services. Conclusions. Despite active combat actions, missile threats, and the destruction of library premises as well as critical infrastructure of regions directly affecting the activities of all institutions and the livelihoods of citizens, public libraries in Ukraine continue to operate with a focus on global trends, particularly by utilising the opportunities of information and communication technologies, creating internet resources, and implementing digital services. Analysis of the websites of regional universal scientific libraries has allowed determine the level of digitalisation development of leading public libraries in Ukraine and the direction of their further development.