Pashkova V. Evolution of National Library Associations (1876-2009)

The dissertation provides the generalized scientific picture of a national library associations' evolution 1876-2009 based on the retrospective review and comparative analysis of their activities. The research focuses on the general lines of their development and spheres of activities in different countries of all continents. Providing the historic reconstruction and comparative study, the author introduced the periodization of national library associations' development. The author has scrutinized the vast scope of sources and literature on national library associations; has studied specifics of their activities and features in defined historic periods in different countries; has determined social, economic, political, cultural, technical, and other factors that influenced the evolution of national library associations. The dissertation forms the generalized picture of library scientists' views on tasks and functions of national library associations. National library associations are studied as an element of an ideal model of fully formed professional activity and as a component of the civil society. In the dissertation, activities of Ukrainian national library associations are examined in detail and theoretically generalized against the world trends of national library associations' development.