THE WORK OF PUBLIC LIBRARY ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE THE SKILLS OF LIBRARY STAFF IN THE 1920s

Abstract

A description of public organizations’ activities - library associations to improve library’s staff training in the 1920s is presented. It is found that in the post-October period there was an ambiguous situation in the development of librarianship in our country. It was linked with low book supply, miserable financial situation of libraries, but the most sensitive issue was an acute shortage of library staff. Two groups basically worked in the library: the first - non-professionals - workers, peasants, demobilized from the Red Army, and the second - librarians with years of experience. To solve problems related to the further training of library staff, improving the material situation of librarians, libraries, propaganda, library associations were created - public library organization, which included librarians. It is proved that the library association, not having the appropriate independence and funding being under constant pressure and controlled by the authorities, could not be further developed and gradually been turned into centers that perform methodological work, which included workshops, courses, conferences, consultations and briefings, field visits, preparation of teaching materials.