Achievements and Tasks of the Leading Centre in National Biographical Studies: to the Institute’s of Biographical Research 25th Anniversary

The origins, main achievements, tasks and development prospects are covered of scientific, informational, methodological and communicative activity of the Institute of Biographical Research of V. I. Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine, the single specialised academic department in Ukraine to conduct research on the problems in the theory and methods of biographical studies taken as a separate humanities subject. The institute investigates the development tendencies and experience in biographical research as a field for scientific and literary biographical creation, and organises biographical and biobibliographical databases. It also constantly works on the improvement of Ukrainian National Biographical Archive. The Institute's contribution is analysed to the development of traditional and introduction of new to Ukrainian science research directions. It includes the study of historical experience and contemporary problems in world and national biography research, the improvement of methodological foundations in reference, historical and branch biographical studies, the formation of electronic biographical information resources and the development of biobibliographical projects with the expansion of biographical studies reference base. Another important aspect is the application of historical-biographical knowledge in seeking a patriotic consolidation for Ukrainian society. A characteristic of vital new directions is given, such as theoretical and methodological support of mastering the world experience in biographical research, enrichment of the creative arsenal in biographical writing; research on methodological problems as concerns creation and circulation of juvenile historical-biographical literature; general improvement of biographical knowledge distribution in society. An emphasis is put on the importance of devising innovative means of communication with the readership, publishers, and informational structures, and the promotion of the part libraries at all levels should take in this work, in particular, by annually holding the All-Ukrainian Biographical Library Rating.