Public Libraries as Historical Memory Institutions of the Ukrainian People

Abstract

The aim of the article is to study main tendencies in the activity of Ukrainian public libraries as institutions of the Ukrainian nation's memory in the martial state conditions. Research methods. A complex of scientific knowledge approaches (objectivity, theory and practice interaction) are used in this article, as well as a principle of unity in interrelationship with current conditions and methods (analysis, cognitive method, structural-functional method, descriptive method, synthesis). Scientific novelty. For the first time, the activities of Ukrainian public libraries as institutions of national and historical memory of our people are presented. It is grounded that in conditions of the martial law in Ukraine, the library institute decently develops its activity for the benefit of the Ukrainian people. Main conclusions. Turning to the historical memory sources is a necessary condition for formulating the national idea of modern Ukraine, taking into account the fact that the protection of basic cultural values stabilises society, unites and supports the spiritual national forces. Nowadays, in the martial law conditions, it is especially important. The formation, preservation and organisation of access to historical memory sources, which are an organic component not only of the material, but also of the spiritual sphere of society, play an important social and communicative role in its comprehensive development, stable emotional and psychological state, as well as contribute to the increase of moral and intellectual potential. Libraries are an important component of the social and communicative state’s structure, they realise the governmental policy of social, historical and national memory, organise the preservation of these sources, take an active part in disseminating objective and truthful information, scientifically based knowledge about the past and the present, aimed on forming and confirming certain historical memory. Also, the library institute contributes to ensuring the information security of the state by refuting fakes, and highlighting the true history of Ukraine. The activity of Ukrainian libraries provide objective and free of charge information, contribute to counteracting the tendentious interpretation of the historical process, the deformation of the meanings of the past and the recent history, the manipulation of the content of historical facts, social and cultural factors.