Library and information science in the digital world: research trends and challenges

The article considers the future of Library and Information Sciences in the digital world. The author's interpretation of the concept “Library and Information Sciences” is given. The author shows the heuristic nature of the theoretical baggage of LIS for solving urgent social problems of digitalization. The features of domestic LIS, their contribution to the research of the information sphere, social and information interaction, their methodological traditions are determined. The task of management of branch knowledge is set. The risks and problems of irrational use of scientific LIS-knowledge are revealed. The time lag between the idea and its implementation in library and information practices, methodological and organizational transformations in science are analyzed. The breakthrough nature of the research conducted in line with the new scientific direction - the theory of social and information technologies is proved. The circle of the most actual directions of researches for LIS is designated. Particular attention is paid to the “personnel conversion” as a problem that requires a scientifically based solution.