Methodical support optimization of the activities of the municipal institutions of culture

The interaction with the methodical department is the most important element of the cultural institutions’ work in fulfilling a number of specific functions, including educational activities. The article considers the problem of implementing the goals and objectives of the methodical support of socio-cultural activities in the municipalities in modern changing conditions. The stages of formation and development of the methodical service, which ensures the relations and continuity of the principles and content of the methodical centers’ work from the beginning of the XX century to the present day, have been analyzed. The issue of the necessity of optimizing the activities of methodical services is raised, confirmed by the results of the sociological study of the employees of the rural municipal cultural institutions of the Cheremkhovsky district of the Irkutsk region.