LIBRARY OF A NEW TYPE AS A CULTURAL UNIVERSAL

Abstract

The relevance of the study of a new type of library as a cultural universal is due to the fact that the modern library remains the most democratic tool in the world for access to knowledge for all citizens, regardless of their age and social status. The library, being a social organism, cannot exist outside of the spiritual life of society, it is one of the most important tools of its development. Changing role of information in modern society directly affects the transformation of some functions of libraries. The study of the ontological foundations of the library can help to reveal its mission at the turn of the epochs. The aim of the study is to consider the phenomenon of the library in the historical context as an institution of culture, providing circulation of social experience. Transformations in the life of society and in the activity of the library as a social organism create the task of defining a strategy for its development. When considering this problem, a systematic approach was used. Culture is considered as a system of supra-biological programs, in which the library acts as an element of this system. General logical methods of cognition such as analogy, analysis, synthesis, generalization and prediction were also applied. The material of the article characterizes the library of a new type as a cultural universal, accumulating and broadcasting social experience. The article presents the philosophical foundations of the library in the context of the universals of culture, describes its main functions, reveals the essence and characteristics of the library of a new type, identifies socio-cultural practices as an important factor in the formation of information mobility of students. As a result of the study the following conclusions were made: 1. The ontological foundations of the traditional and modern library are common, which characterizes it as a cultural universal. 2. The transformation of the functions of modern libraries led to the emergence of a new type of library. 3. Consideration and study of the philosophical foundations of the library of a new type let to reveal its mission at the turn of the epochs, as well as to predict further ways of its development.