The social significance of libraries with a review of the activities of the Zagreb City Libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020. godina u povijesti će ostati zapamćena po pandemiji izazvanoj COVID-19 virusom koji je na globalnoj razini doveo do promjene života na koji smo navikli. Zatvaranje obrazovnih i kulturnih ustanova, uslužnih i ugostiteljskih objekata te državnih granica utjecalo je na mnoge aspekte naših života. Kako su knjižnice svojim uslugama neraskidivo povezane s društvenim procesima u radu je tematiziran njihov značaj u vremenima kriza. Tijekom pandemije knjižničari su se našli pred izazovom s kojim se još nisu susreli. Trebalo je osigurati daljnje pružanje usluga uz uvažavanje svih epidemioloških mjera. Zatvaranje knjižnica iziskivao je kreativnost knjižničara, brzu prilagodbu te promišljanje knjižnične ponude u digitalnom svijetu. Rad definira pojam knjižnice, prikazuje njezin povijesni razvoj u društvenom kontekstu te tematiziran njezin društveni značaj. Ukratko opisuje knjižničarsku djelatnost. Definira pojam kriza i utjecaj kriza na knjižnice te značaj knjižnica u vremenima elementarnih nepogoda, političkih nemira ili pandemija. Poseban osvrt dan je na suočavanje knjižnica diljem svijeta posebice Knjižnica grada Zagreba.The year 2020. will be remembered in history for the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, which globally led to a change in the life we are used to. The closure of educational, cultural institutions, catering facilities and state borders has affected many aspects of our lives. As libraries are inextricably linked to social processes with their services, this paper deals with the importance of libraries in times of crisis. During the pandemic, librarians faced a challenge they had not yet encountered. Further service provision should have been ensured while respecting all epidemiological measures. The closure of libraries required the creativity of librarians, rapid adaptation and reflection on the library offer in the digital world. The paper defines the concept of a library, presents its historical development in a social context and thematizes its social significance. The paper briefly describes the library business, it defines the concept of crises and the impact of crises on libraries, as well as the importance of libraries in times of natural disasters, political unrest or pandemics. Special attention is given to the confrontation of libraries around the world, especially the Zagreb City Library