Socio-cultural dimension of XXI century information wars regarding to the place and role of libraries in them

Abstract

The relevance. The priority of information confrontation in the postmodern era is to change the mentality of the nation and the deformation of national memory patterns, which is clearly reflected in the events associated with the attempts of the Russian Federation to restore its imperial status. Complex transformation processes in the development of the modern library system, the problem of determining its role and place in the protection of national cultural heritage, resisting attempts to purposefully instill hostile cultural values in the Ukrainian state in the context of integrated use of information warfare are given.
 The purpose of our scientific research is to reveal the essence of the socio-cultural dimension of information warfare in its memetic and network varieties and to identify the potential for library system functioning in the context of information conflict.
 The methodology. The author’s vision of the problem is based on the main principles of science: scientificity and objectivity. A systematic approach to determining the functionality of libraries enabled to establish the content and prospects of transformation processes of the modern library system in the information war and to determine its effectiveness in terms of performing tasks of effective information confrontation.
 The results. It is proved that the library, as a traditional collector and translator in the time and space of documented knowledge, the guardian of the national cultural heritage becomes the object of influence and manipulation in the terms of information warfare. At the same time, it can and should be an effective tool for information confrontation. The role and place of the library system in the types of information wars — memetic and network wars — are clarified. A number of functions of libraries for effective confrontation in the context of the specified types of information wars of the present are characterized in detail.
 The scientific topicality. For the first time, an attempt was made to comprehensively analyze the role of libraries in the information conflict. The tasks and functions of the library system as an effective tool for the protection of the national information space are specified.
 The practical significance. The results of the study can be used by librarians, as well as higher education institutions that implement educational programs in the specialty 029 “Information, Library and Archival Affairs” in the development of new disciplines (e.g. “Information Warfare and National Security”). It will provide training for library and information specialists at modern requirements level, taking into account the peculiarities of modernization processes development in the library and archives.