National projects as an adaptation tool employed by rural libraries: the case of the Kaliningrad region
- DOI
- 10.5922/gikbfu-2024-1-2
- Pages
- 27-41
Abstract
This article considers the socio-cultural and social activities of rural libraries from the perspective of social geography and geography of culture. Globalisation, erosion of local cultural values and blurred spatial boundaries between socio-cultural communities render research endeavours in the fields of social geography and cultural geography invaluable tools in selecting promising areas for regional policies.
This study aims to track how the performance of municipal libraries of the Kaliningrad region changed between 2016 and 2022 and analyse the interim results of the Culture flagship national project — and effort to aid library modernisation. Albeit often deficient in resources, rural libraries serve as local centres for socio-cultural activity. Thus, they face the urgent need to adapt to the rapidly changing environment. Having failed, these establishments would be unable to unlock local residents’ potential, meet their informational needs, aid them on the path of intellectual and spiritual development or facilitate the socialisation of younger and senior generations. It is concluded that there is a range of regional obstacles to aspirations to embrace the innovative model of a modern rural library.