Досвід роботи Лондонської бібліотеки: виклики сучасності та стратегія розвитку

Abstract

The article substantiates that cardinal political and cultural changes in the Ukrainian society and the introduction of the latest digital technologies set before educational and public libraries the task of searching for new development strategies and functioning models in the humanitarian knowledge system that meet modern society needs. The features of strategic planning of the work of the oldest library in the UK – the London Library – have been revealed. The development strategies of the cultural and educational institution — its mission, strategic goals, and innovations — have been considered, which allowed it to achieve professional and financial success. The development strategies of the London Library have been analysed, making an excursus into the institution’s history and its modern life. It is emphasized that every five years a new development strategy is developed at the London Library, which reflects the vision by shareholders, board members and top managers of its future, goals and the ways to achieve them. The ideas for the development of the library at the present stage are set forth in the document “The Strategic Plan of the London Library until 2017”. It has been found out that each strategic priority is separated into a number of specific actions by which a development strategy is implemented – that is, a plan for its implementation is formed. At the end of each year, an annual report is prepared, containing the information on the implementation of the London Library’s strategic plan. It has been proved that the London Library is a unique phenomenon, since it remains a cultural and educational institution for which state subsidies are a traditional way of financing, but the institution was able to organize its work in such a way as to become independent of state funding. This approach, on the one hand, is focused on purely library goals, and on the other hand, it is a marketing one – centred on the needs of readers, which has enabled this institution to remain an important link in the cultural and educational space and at the same time to become financially successful and independent. Summarizing the development strategy of the London Library, the main ideas that can be used as guidelines in the development and optimization of the Ukrainian libraries’ work have been highlighted. It has been stressed that the acquaintance with the vision of the future, services, principles of fund formation and the search for sources of financing by London peers can be useful for introducing new approaches into the Ukrainian libraries’ activities.