Creation of the Theory of Reading: Contribution of Yulia Petrovna Melentyeva

The paper considers contribution of Y.P. Melentyeva to the formation of the general theory of reading and determining the social purpose of library. The author analyses various approaches to the social functions of library, its responsibility to individual and society.In developing the theory of reading, Y.P. Melentyeva proceeds from the understanding of reading as the essential foundation of civilization, and the library as an institution of socialization of individual. Presenting information on the study of reading in the early 20th century and in the second half of the 20th century, the author characterizes publications by Y.P. Melentyeva devoted to this problem. The book “General Theory of Reading” (2015) includes all the necessary elements of scientific theory and bases on the study of reading as a cultural phenomenon. Encyclopaedic dictionary “Reading” (2021) summarizes the results of the study of reading and outlines prospective problems for further analysis. In the publication, reading is considered as an interdisciplinary concept for philosophy, pedagogy, psychology, book studies, library science, philology, physiology and other sciences.Y.P. Melentyeva connects the development of theory of reading with the study of problems of library ethics. Under her leadership, there was prepared and adopted in 1999 the first “Code of Professional Ethics of the Russian Librarian”; it was of great importance as a tool for consolidation of the library community in the dynamic controversial period of the domestic history.Y.P. Melentyeva is the leading specialist in the field of library science; she has made the most significant contribution to the formation of the general theory of reading. Her works are important for the formation of the professional worldview of modern librarians.