Professional Information Needs of Library Specialists in Russia

The article is devoted to the comprehensive study of the professional information needs (IN) of specialists of the central libraries of the subjects of the Russian Federation. The rapid development of high technologies in the field of accumulation, transmission and processing of information, the creation of modern telecommunications systems have led to the emergence of fundamentally new opportunities for organizing the information process. This, in turn, led to the qualitative growth of IN specialists, including those employed in the field of library activities. The specific features of IN library specialists are determined by their place and role in the modern process of cultural activity, industry orientation, nature of work and specialization. During 2018—2019, the Centre for Research of Problems of the Development of Libraries in the Information Society of the Russian State Library carried out research aimed at comprehensive study of the information needs of cultural workers employed in the library sphere. At the first stage of the research, there was comprehended the existing experience of studying professional information needs in the national library science. At the second stage, using the method of questionnaire survey, information needs of library specialists were studied in order to identify the most rational forms and methods of providing them. The analysis of the survey results made it possible to identify the sources of professional information, to reveal information resources that have the greatest importance and characterize specific features of librarians’ information needs.The author concludes on the need to expand the access to full-text databases and electronic versions of periodicals for library staff. The creation of integrated information centre could help providing library professionals with professional information. Currently, the function of such a centre is performed by the National Electronic Library, which includes the professional section for library specialists. The results of the study form theoretical and methodological basis for the rational use of resources and potential of libraries in providing information to professional information needs of library specialists and determine the prospects for further research related to improving the forms and methods of information service for this category of users.