RED W. SMITH NATIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE STUDY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, АS UNIQUE INFORMATION RESOURCE

Purpose. The article by Svetlana Polovyk and Natalia Morshny «Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington as a Unique Information Resource» reveals current issues of the Fred Smith National Library for the study of George Washington, which are analyzed in the context of history and creation of documentary fund as a set of information resources USA and the activities of the founder of the George Washington Institute of Presidential Power. Methodology. The research methodology is based on the application of general scientific principles of historicism, consistency, complexity, objectivity, comprehensiveness of knowledge. This was facilitated by the use of methods of analysis, abstraction, synthesis and generalization. Finding. Analysis of the composition and content of special collections stored in the library showed their important complementarity, because only together they form a single documentary and information space, which gives a real opportunity to join the historical context of an important state institution – the presidency. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the obtained results is that the documentary heritage of D. Washington is studied as a single cultural and historical complex of the library. Practical value. Implementation of the experience Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington in the work of similar structures in Ukraine. Results. The study concludes that the history of the formation and development of the Fred Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington is closely linked to the history of the state, its ideological and sociocultural priorities. Among the main areas of use of the first president’s documentary heritage are scientific, cultural and educational projects aimed at understanding the cultural and political heritage of D. Washington and the conditions of formation and development of American statehood.