Cultural and leisure activities at research libraries in the digitalization era: What to offer users

Abstract

The author characterizes the society’s dependence on digital technologies and the direct demand for these technologies. The libraries are examined as the system of several functions, and among them — the cultural leisure activities. Modern technologies are seen as a harmonic way for the libraries to enter into the new digital environment. The specificity of research (academic) library resources is emphasized. The author argues that contemporary user demands in these libraries are viewed narrowly which is insufficient. The examples of digital technologies application in educational projects and cultural and leisure activities at research and academic libraries are provided. The author points specifically to three forms of these activities, i. e. teaching foreign languages, virtual reality technologies, and film screening. The specific character of these activities of public and research (including academic) libraries is discussed. The Google’s Expeditions platform is described; the efficiency of this technology in organizing cultural and leisure activities in libraries is proved. Science documentaries are seen as a lost user service offered by research libraries. The author also examines the financial aspect, i. e. high costs of hi-tech devices and equipment and possible funding resources. She concludes that digital technologies have engrained in our life. The trends in research (academic) libraries’ assimilating cultural activities specific to public libraries are described.