The review of scientific research conducted by libraries: What comes next?

Abstract

The author reviews the two editions (2021, 2023) of the multi-authored monograph “Scientific research in libraries: Subject scope, organization, presentation of findings” [in Russian]. The monograph is prepared by three national libraries – the Russian State Library, the National Library of Russia and the Presidential Library named after B. N. Yeltsin. The first edition has already won a high a ppraisal in the professional scientific media. The author of the review shares the assessment, moreover, he emphasizes that the monograph testifies to the ability of the national libraries to collaborate without duplication, each relying on its background and historical traditions. At the same time, scientific gaps have now become more visible. It is important to involve scientific research conducted by other federal libraries, regardless their departmental subordination, as well as by the higher educational institutions training library professionals. The author points out the absence of the unified scientific policy of research studies, equally important for the library science, bibliography and book science, and the entire branch of book and library science. In particular, it is vitally important to define the relations between the concepts of “library science” and “general library science”; to articulate the concepts of “private library science”, “special library science”, and “electronic library science”; to identify the place of library science, bibliography and book studies in the system of sciences and thus to contribute to the state recognition of the value of our scientific disciplines; to bring the national standards in the field of library activity in line with the Federal Law “On Librarianship”; to specify the actual purpose of library work, to elaborate the criteria for library document value; to develop the theory and methodology for identifying information needs, etc.The publication of the monograph is an extraordinary event in our scientific community that expects such comprehensive publications for the future.