Balancing the concepts of “system of libraries” and “library network”. The problem statement

Abstract

On the basis of thorough analysis of current publications in bibliographic studies, foreign and domestic, the author concludes on the lack of differentiation of the terms “system” and “network”, and on the corresponding discrepancies in the professional terminology. She substantiates the need for such differentiation between the terms. In author’s opinion, the term “library system” is quite appropriate, as the concept of the “network” cannot be adopted as an umbrella term; the system of libraries and the network of libraries are related as the whole and a part. The author proceeds that the country’ system of libraries is the whole of libraries interacting at the level of individual library networks and proving access to the community’ information resources. The advisability of using the concept of “library information system” in modern reality is emphasized. The author also notes that the need for using this term is de facto substantiated by the textbook “General Bibliography” published by the Moscow State Institute of Culture and Arts in 2015.