Library functions in culture

The article discusses the basic functions of libraries. The author proposes to consider the library as an information system within the culture, the main function of which is not only the collection and storage of books (and other documents), acting as a public memory, but also distribution of objects and cultural values, orientation users in the information environment, facilitating the communication process. Underlines that maintaining and broadcasting documentaries cultural values of the general public, the library provides an important social effect - helps equalize cultural potentials of people from different social groups, and therefore stabilize society, sustainable development.