This thesis deals with the elaboration of theoretical, organizational and methodological frameworks for the development of the international collaboration of libraries in Ukraine in the context of global communication space. The basic concepts of “International Library Collaboration” have been specified. Cultural and information policies for the development of the international library collaboration in Ukraine have been investigated, the current state of international library collaboration and issues connected with the implementation of main directions have been identified. The goal, main components, and courses of the international library collaboration system have been characterized, as well as their further development prospects and strengthening reserves have been identified.. A system of measures to enhance the international library collaboration in Ukraine in the context of global communication space has been developed. The necessity of the gradual compensatory substitution for traditional forms of international collaboration with innovative ones, based on the use of network communication channels, has been substantiated.
It has been proved that promotion of the international library collaboration in Ukraine is the priority for cultural policy. It has been determined that international projects significantly influence the modern development of the country's public libraries; the modernization of their material and technical bases, as well as rural ones, stimulate access to the world scientific library space. The implementation of international projects proves that Ukraine belongs to the European civilization. It has been found that due to the cooperation with international organizations and associations, public libraries are being updated and modernized, electronic databases are being created and replenished, library staff learns modern innovations and technologies in their work. The absence of proper development of the role of Ukrainian public libraries in the world information space is considered to be a consequence of the lack of legislative support for the implementation of effective international collaboration process and information exchange, which must be ensured by several international agreements; lack of necessary knowledge and skills of library staff in developing international cooperation; lack of interest representation by librarians in international professional circles, low rates and level of application of international practices and standards for library and information services.
After analyzing the problematic aspects of international library collaboration, it is also noteworthy that they remain unchanged for many years. To become a full-fledged international partner and enter the global information space, public libraries need a fundamental change in the attitude of the authorities to their value and government support in efficiently acting in the interests of native culture, science, and education.
It has been found that the intensification of the international collaboration is particularly relevant in the context of a significant reduction in budget financing of Ukrainian public libraries, on the one hand, and the need to increase their competitiveness in the information market, increasing the complexity of the tasks for the integration into the transnational information and communication space, on the other. Today’s urgent need is the organization of this line of work as a system of multi-pronged relations between the agents of international partnership in order to modernize and significantly improve the quality of staffing of funds with foreign literature; meet the information needs of users, including national minorities; improve organizational, scientific, technical, technological and resource capacity of public libraries; provide further training of library staff.
The study does not consider all the possible problems of the intensification of development of the international collaboration of public libraries in Ukraine in the context of global communication space. Promising areas for further research are the study of foreign experience in organizing forms and channels of productive international collaboration of libraries; the formation of a system of interactive means of communication for libraries to exchange innovative international experience; tools for presentation of the results of corporate international library partnership in web-based communication environment; development of criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of means of communication and forms of distance learning of library and information specialists.
Key words: international library cooperation, public libraries, Ukraine, international library organizations, intercultural communication, international document exchange, international corporate library and information networks.
