Promjene kulturno-obrazovne paradigme narodnih knjižnica na području Bjelovarsko-bilogorske županije za vrijeme pandemije COVID-19 s naglaskom na Narodnu knjižnicu Petar Preradović Bjelovar

The paper tackles the cultural-educational role of libraries as local, information, educational and cultural centres of local communities in the contemporary information society; it further presents changes in their cultural-educational paradigm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global health-related and social crisis triggered by the spreading of the coronavirus. The paper furthermore points to the role of information-communication technology in bridging the communication gap with library users, caused by the introduction of epidemiological measures or rather the closing of library premises. The methodological approach is based on the available relevant literature, primarily covering the areas of librarianship and information sciences, but other scientific areas as well. The research has been conducted by the means of carrying out a questionnaire and gaining an insight into the official statistical data regarding the libraries of the Bjelovar-Bilogora County, with the aim of collecting information on the impact of epidemiological measures on their operation (changed opening hours, prohibited/limited stay of users at library premises), as well as the quantitative and qualitative levels of cultural-educational services the libraries provide to the community. The results of empirical research have shown that national libraries are capable of conducting diverse cultural-educational services adjusted to functioning in crisis situations (such as during the COVID-19 pandemic), and thus – using information-communication technology – retaining their major cultural-educational role in local communities and the society.