TO MAKE WOMEN VISIBLE

Abstract

The idea of the creation of a Center for Women was shaped under the influence of a whole bunch of different factors - economical, political and social. Literally to say, this idea came from the air - the current situation with women's unemployment, health and their position in family and society is so disturbing and frightening that our library system could not let these problems to exist without any attempts to solve them. It is worth of mentioning that the overwhelming majority of librarians as well as library patrons are women, so the conceptual frame of a center sounded absolutely convincing for the Administration of the library system and for the library staff. The Library was founded on the base of the public library in the distant city district, where there were no other organizations in any way linked with information, reading and culture in general. The first thing we did was to create the strategic documents, intended to help the library in its future work. The main conceptual document among them was the library statute. This statute stated the main mission, goals and aims of the newborn center. The main goal of the center, for example was: To help the process of cooperation of women of this community in order to help them to solve the problems of education, information access, recreation and social rehabilitation. It was a suggestion by Library Administration and Committee, that the work of the Center could be organized in the following directions: 1. To investigate and study the needs and demands of women-patrons of the library. 2. To create the specialized collection of books and other printed materials for women according to revealed necessities. 3. To create the specialized system of informational service for women and members of their families. 4. To organize the consulting and information services for women with the help of professional lawyers, doctors, social workers. 5. To create the effective charity system, intended to help the families with the small income, 'one parent' families, retired patrons and patrons with disabilities. The content of the work included both traditional and innovative (for our library system services for example: - informational (selection of the literature on the special topics; preparation of the reference materials on special themes and topics, organization of book displays, the Days of Information and book reviews), - recreational (different types of hobby-clubs, literary associations, and initiative groups). Also, I would like to say some words about the library structure, management and staff.