Research Work in the 1960s — 1980s as a Factor in the Creation of Library System

The authors analyse the basic principles and nature of research work (R&D) in the library sphere in the 1960s-1980s. During that period, O.D. Golubeva, Deputy Director of the M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin State Public Library (GPB), the main research and coordination centre in the field of library science, bibliography and book studies in the RSFSR, was engaged in organizing scientific activities. The article considers the regulatory framework defining the organization of R&D in the field of librarianship, the nature of interaction of GPB with provincial, regional, republican (ASSR) libraries of Russia, as well as with institutions of other agencies. The authors show the importance of consolidated and coordination plans of research in library science, bibliography and book studies in the RSFSR as the most important tools of joint work. The authors characterize the main problems investigated during the study period and the principles of the formation of scientific work plans, as well as establish the role of centralized and regional studies. The paper presents information about the manuals prepared by the GPB on the methods and tools of library research. The authors consider the organization of work on the implementation of R&D results, as well as identify and present the sources characterizing the flow of scientific publications of the GPB of that period. The article systematizes and formulates the basic principles of the organization of R&D work. The authors consider the reasons for the creation of library system in the modern conditions as implementation of the task set in the “Strategy for the development of librarianship in the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030”. The article concludes on the usefulness of taking into account the work experience of O.D. Golubeva in the solution of this problem.