The dissertation is devoted to the research of the All – Ukrainian public organization "Ukrainian Library Association" (hereinafter – ULA) in promoting the development of library affairs in Ukraine.
The scientific novelty of the study is to determine the stages of development of the ULA in terms of socio-political, economic and socio-cultural transformations; in revealing the structural and organizational principles of the ULA from the standpoint of functional development and in substantiating the structure of the ULA as an organizational model of priority activities; in proving the functioning of the ULA as an open adaptive leadership organization that implements organizational, mobilization-motivating, communication-coordination, information, educational, scientific-methodical, consolidating, representative, advocacy and compensatory functions; in substantiation of the ULA's contribution to the creation of a scientific and theoretical basis for the development of librarianship in Ukraine and the introduction of innovations; in outlining the forms of ULA's activity in the development of library education and science; in substantiation of ULA projects as innovative tools for library modernization; in substantiating the leadership potential of the ULA.
It was found that the Ukrainian Library Association is a powerful professional organization that has been promoting the modernization of the library business for more than 25 years and has a significant impact on the development of the library profession.
It was found that the creation of the Ukrainian Library Association was the response of theorists and practitioners of the library profession to the socio-political, economic, socio-cultural challenges of the 90s of the twentieth century.
Linear and hierarchical approaches were used to determine the periodization of the history of the ULA.
According to the linear approach, in the history of the ULA there are two major periods, the defining feature for the division into which the presence / absence of strategy is chosen:
- 1995–2006- initial (before the adoption of the development strategy);
- 2006–2021 - strategic (according to the approved strategies).
According to the hierarchical approach in these periods, smaller ones are identified, presented at their level in a linear sequence. The personality of the ULA president was chosen as a defining feature of the division of the second hierarchy of periodization, and the strategies adopted (2006–2021) were taken into account to single out the periods of ULA development history of the third level of the hierarchy.
It was found that from the beginning the ULA was formed as an open organization of leaders, which positioned itself as a proactive component of civil society and declared commitment to democratic principles, which attracted active and enterprising people involved in library and information activities. The leadership potential of the ULA is manifested in the fact that the organization is an association of leaders recognized in the field of library and information, initiates certain actions and decisions, develops the leadership potential of its members and society as a whole.
It was found that the structural and functional specifics of the Ukrainian Library Association are determined by leading specialists in the field of bibliography and library science, who are experts in various fields of library activities and have a significant impact on current library issues. Analysis of the structural components of the organizational model of the ULA allows us to trace the evolution of the association in the spread of new electronic technologies and reforming the library industry, so the structure of the ULA varies depending on the priorities and objectives of the association. potential.
It was found that the ULA successfully combines theoretical and methodological and applied aspects: on the one hand, attention is paid to the theoretical foundations of library development, development of educational programs and standards, on the other - with the organization and assistance of the ULA practice. An effective tool for modernizing the library practice of the ULA has become a project activity that is innovative in nature (organizational innovation), and also allows you to create and implement product and service innovations.
It was found that the implementation of ULA project activities became possible due to networking of domestic and foreign NGOs and initiatives and the public sector, and thus contributes not only to the development of librarianship, the introduction of innovative approaches to organizing relevant services in libraries, but also building civic society.
Keywords: Ukrainian Library Association, ULA, association, library, information, library and archival affairs, library and information education, project, project activity.
