Professional Supervision of the Tuzla Canton Library Network: Analysis of the Situation, Experiences, Challenges and Recommendations for Improvement

Aim: The aim of the research was to assess the state of library activities and provide recommendations for improvement in accordance with the Library Activity Law of Tuzla Canton and international standards. Methodology: The methodological approach is entirely innovative and the first of its kind in Tuzla Canton, and it can serve as a model for other cantons in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This methodological approach combines: quantitative analysis (statistical data, numerical indicators), qualitative assessment (field visits, interviews), formalized documentation (minutes with recommendations), and systematic monitoring of implementation. Results: The result of the analysis of the collected data indicates significant deficiencies in the functioning of libraries, including inadequate funding, insufficient number of professional staff, and weak connectivity with modern library-information systems, as prerequisites for compliance with legal regulations. Social significance: By achieving social significance, it is expected that this work will encourage similar initiatives in other cantons, serve as reference material for policy makers, contribute to the standardization of approaches to coordinating library services in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and be cited in future library research, as the work proposes specific measures to improve the overall state of libraries and their integration into the COBISS system. Practical application: From a practical application perspective, the work proposes systemic measures through urgent, medium-term, and long-term interventions, including increasing budgetary expenditures, technological modernization, and staff strengthening. Originality: This professional paper represents the first comprehensive analysis of the state of the library network in Tuzla Canton based on professional supervision conducted in the period 2023–2024. The research covers 22 libraries of different types: nine public libraries, three special libraries, and thirteen organizational units of the University Library, as well as continuous monitoring of over 131 libraries through dossiers.