Public Libraries in Multicultural Environment: Main Directions of Activities

Abstract

The article highlights the directions of library activities in multicultural environment. The author presents definition of multicultural environment and notes that public libraries become cultural and educational centres. The article considers the main tasks and directions of work of libraries in the multicultural environment. Among the tasks facing the libraries are the following: creation of conditions for intercultural and interconfessional dialogue, education of tolerant thinking among the younger generation, socio-cultural mediation between migrants and the local community, the promotion of social cohesion of Russian society. The main goal of the activities of libraries in multicultural environment is their involvement in the implementation of the state cultural and national policy. Therefore, the libraries consider their main task in preservation and development of ethnic cultures and languages of all peoples living in our country. The most common areas of work of libraries are organization of ethno-cultural mass events, development of multilingual collections, creation of multilingual electronic resources, cooperation with local authorities and government agencies, educational institutions, national and cultural associations and various public organizations, assistance in the process of adaptation of migrants and refugees to the conditions of new social environment, creation of language educational centres in libraries for all members of the local community, participation in sociological research, methodological support of library activities in multicultural environment. Annual analytical reports of public libraries over the last three years demonstrate the significant increase of their activities in multicultural environment. The article presents the results of survey of the Gasprinsky Republican Crimean Tatar Library on the topic: “Do you know the traditions of your people?” The author concludes that the activities of library in multicultural environment contributes to its development as a cultural and educational centre. Cooperation with local authorities, educational institutions, national cultural associations, public organizations testifies to the importance of libraries and their recognition as active participants in the process of social cohesion of Russian society.