Description
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the concepts of “archive management” and “library management” at the beginning and the end of students’ studying the courses “Archival Management” and “Library Management” and identify the dynamics of the professional picture of the world of students.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Free association was practiced by high school students in the specialty “Information, Library and Archival Studies”. They were asked to define a list of associations to the concepts of “library management” and “archive management” at the beginning of the study and after passing the disciplines in 3.5 months.
Findings: Free associations allowed to see changes in the vision of higher education graduates of the professional picture of the world as a result of mastering the elements of this educational program.
Practical and Social implications: The research allowed to summarize the students’ understanding of the specifics of the chosen profession in modern society and the evolution of functions of librarians and archivists, from information keepers to knowledge managers and information flow managers.
Originality/value: Students see their future professional development in client-oriented activities, imitating the experience of international archival institutions, and forming a unique archival culture in society. They see the future development of the library business in combination of entrepreneurial activity with the tradition of libraries, collection of books as a cultural fund of society, and virtualization of the library fund. These areas of library and archival development that should be developed in modern society.
Keywords: Librarian, Archivist, free associations, fundamental concepts, professional concepts.
