On 11 April 2011, Softline took part in the Fair of Innovative Library Services and E-Governance held at the Ukrainian House National Centre for Business and Cultural Cooperation. The fair brought together representatives of government bodies and more than 40 Ukrainian libraries, which presented innovative services based on modern technologies that are bringing positive changes to Ukrainians' lives.
The event showcased e-governance tools and innovative services provided by Ukraine's libraries. Today they face the task of being not only traditional book depositories but also of giving Ukrainians access to electronic documents published on the Internet, thereby realising the constitutional human right to information for all citizens of the country without exception. And it is worth noting that in many cases this opportunity serves an important social purpose. Visitors could see this while watching the documentary shown at the start of the event: ordinary Ukrainians told how they had been able to resolve their own issues with the help of information systems introduced in libraries.
For instance, the library in the town of Artemivsk, Donetsk Oblast, helps visitors gain access to information and legal advice. Recently, one reader, with the help of librarians, prepared the documents needed for a case on recalculating her pension based on her full length of service. All this information was obtained through free access to the Internet and open information, which can now be used free of charge in many libraries across Ukraine.
Visitors and participants of the fair viewed more than 50 exhibition stands where leading libraries, companies and NGOs presented their achievements in innovation and new technologies. The Softline stand attracted particular attention from visitors who were library professionals, as Softline specialists were demonstrating the company's own development there — an automated software system for a library depository.
The program enables computer processing of large arrays of electronic scientific information and, in particular, bibliometric and scientometric research. In addition, a function for rating journals, publications, authors and teams based on citation indices can be enabled. Judging by the large number of positive reviews received from library and informatisation professionals, the development proved successful, promising and much needed for the country's modern library system.
However, this is just one example of what Softline develops for society's information needs. It was Softline that back in 2003 proposed to the authorities the concept of "e-governance" (the company's electronic document management developments are already regarded at the highest level as elements of the future e-government), which is now beginning to be put into practice. Incidentally, according to Oleksandr Baranov, Director of the Modernisation Department of the Main Department of Civil Service, in the current e-governance concept libraries will be given the role of information centres through which citizens will be able to use the state's online services.
Softline specialists agree with him. According to their forecasts, the libraries of the future will provide both traditional and electronic services. Within the next 5–10 years, the entire library collection is to receive electronic versions that any reader will be able to access via the Internet. The way traditional libraries work also has to adapt to modern conditions. For example, in the very near future a reader will be able to search for literature across all libraries in the country and obtain additional information about it (whether a book is available only in the reading room or can be borrowed; when readers will return it to the library). Library premises will be equipped with computers for reading e-books, and Internet access will be free (including via Wi-Fi).
ON THE RECORD
Viktoriia Lisnycha, Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine — Ukrainian libraries are actively involved in the development of their regions. They implement tourism projects, help build local self-government institutions, help use the latest technologies in education, take part in providing social assistance to vulnerable groups and show citizens the possibilities of productive communication with the authorities. Modern libraries help open the world to Ukrainians and Ukrainians to the world. |
John F. Tefft, US Ambassador to Ukraine — Library modernisation is an important step forward on Ukraine's path of development. Since 2001, USD 1.5 million has been invested in this cause. I am confident that good changes await Ukrainian communities, and in any case we are moving in the right direction. |
Volodymyr Yavorivskyi, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Culture and Spirituality — In the 20th century there was a phenomenon of information and spiritual hunger, yet people wanted to read books and set up village reading rooms. Something similar is happening in Ukraine today. I am convinced that by the end of the year we will see a somewhat different Ukraine of ours — smarter, better informed and more cultured. |