Modern requirements for university libraries for today

(on the example of the current situation of the Library of the University of Architecture and Construction of Azerbaijan)

Abstract

The University Library is an integral part of the education and cultural heritage of the nation, the level of education in general depends on the level of its condition, which is why the Ministry of Education sets certain requirements for both the structure and architecture of university libraries. The buildings and territories occupied by the library must meet the basic standards for the implementation of the main goals and functions of the library. They also need to be efficient in their space and should be able to adapt to its use. Even before the construction of the library, it is necessary to design the building project according to the plan of ensuring flexible functional use, as well as to take into account future adaptations to temporary changes, that is, it provides all possible comfort in space at any time. An important issue in this case is the financing of libraries, since significant investments are needed to ensure the desired results. The policy of the organization and use of library resources, the level of state support for libraries largely depend on the definition of the competence of the latter in the changing system of economic relations. The analysis of the world library experience shows that in the conditions of a market economy in the sphere of library relations with the state there are two opposite trends. Since the public-state form of ownership, which assumes that library services are free of charge at the expense of state budget financing, begins to exist along with other forms of ownership, libraries seek to independently determine the range of services, opposing state interference in all spheres of library activity. At the same time, being essentially non-profit organizations, libraries continue to need the help and assistance of the state in solving both economic and legal problems. But the state no longer establishes "rigid" programs for servicing readers, but acts as a customer or buyer of library services. Thus, the state guarantees of equal rights to all consumers of information are now reduced to paying from the state budget only a part of traditional library services, which are provided free of charge. Many modern centers of education invest large amounts of information in improving their library, because today the university library has turned into a place serving not only for obtaining information, knowledge, but also a place for holding various state and international conferences.