Museum as a modern social institute (on the basis of the Russian-Mongolian friendship museum activities)

The article studies museums in the context of their present and coming transformations. It analyzes reasons and terms of their origin as well as evolutionary changes in museum activities. The concept "museum", the term "socio-cultural activity" and museums as social institutes directly co-operating with society are considered. Special attention is paid to the problems and their solution. The author touches upon the activities of the Russian-Mongolian Friendship Museum. Programs for children of different ages are presented. It is concluded that museums are an inseparable part of cultural space.