Research of Western European old printing books at V. I. Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine

The aim of the research is to conduct analysis of researches of Western European old printed books at the V. I. Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine throughout 100 years of its existence. The methodology of the research comprises the whole of principles of historical method, objectivity, and system; historiographic and bibliographic as well as historical book studies and terminological analyses were chosen as methods for this research. The scientific novelty of the topic can be found, first and foremost, in the formulation of the issue itself of retrospective scientific overview of foreign researches, primarily Western European old printed books of Ukraine's largest library as well as drawing conclusion of the work done in this sphere throughout the last century, which would allow to see lacunae and determine the promising directions of further researches. Such researches are particularly relevant in the 21st century within the conditions of European countries uniting as well as realisation of outstanding value of mankind's documentary memory, which is concentrated within books for the most part. Ukrainian historical and cultural retrospective collections of European old printed books remain almost unknown to researches from other countries. The same can be applied to publications about them as well as catalogues and data bases. The article stresses the importance of understanding that the examples of foreign old printed books within the state depositories of Ukraine, as is the case with any other country, are Ukraine's national heritage of world, European or state (national) significance and, corresponding to the effective documents, require special storage conditions as well as inclusion to the State register of national cultural heritage. Conclusions. Historiographic study of researches connected with introduction into scientific circulation of existing examples, collections and gatherings of Western European old printed books, which were done by several generations of V. I. Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine employees, established the presence of evident achievements in this sphere, particularly the research of incunabula, paleotypes (ancient 16th century books), collections of famous European printing houses, certain types (sheet music, engraved portraits) of editions, separate particularly valuable specimen.