INFORMATION ACTIVITIES OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES USING OUTREACH TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

This article explores the information activities of higher education institution libraries through the lens of implementing outreach technologies as an effective tool that transforms libraries from traditional information repositories into active social and communication institutions capable of responding promptly to the demands of contemporary society. The functional roles of libraries have been examined in the context of digitalization, growing volumes of information, martial law, and social transformations, particularly the decline in reading activity, funding shortages, and the need for digital inclusion. The study examines the conceptual and terminological framework and outlines the evolution of the “outreach” concept in both international and Ukrainian library science. The article offers a conceptualization of “outreach” in library practice based on the analysis of leading experts’ publications. It presents the theoretical foundations and practical aspects of implementing outreach technologies, particularly the principles of inclusivity, mobility, proactivity, partnership, and user-centeredness. The necessity of outreach implementation in university libraries is substantiated as a mechanism to overcome information inequality, expand access to knowledge and services, and strengthen the connection between the library and the academic community. The importance of outreach in engaging with vulnerable groups (such as people with special needs, internally displaced persons, the unemployed, and at-risk youth) is emphasized through the use of mobile libraries, digital education programs, interactive services, and remote counseling. International experience and domestic practices of outreach in university libraries are summarized. The focus is on the tools, that used to implement outreach technologies, including mobile libraries, digital platforms, student mentoring, information campaigns, and educational initiatives. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating outreach technology into library development strategies, which will enhance their social role, improve the quality of information services, and promote the library as an open, dynamic, and inclusive space.