On November 17-18, 2008, in Baku took place the celebration of the 85th anniversary of M.F. Ahundov Azerbaijan National Library.
In the event participated: heads of national libraries from 13 countries: Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Cyprus, Latvia, Slovakia, Turkey, Estonia, as well as representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS, BAE, and TURKSOY. R.S. Motulsky, the Director of National Library of Belarus took part in the event as a representative of Belarus.
In the framework of the celebration took place the following events:
- a ceremony dedicated to the 85th anniversary of M.F. Ahundov Azerbaijan National Library;
- the Tenth General Meeting of Non-Profit Partnership “Library Assembly of Eurasia";
- the 2nd Conference of directors of national libraries of Turkic languages countries.
Today there are over 12 different libraries in Azerbaijan.
The main library of Azerbaijan was founded in 1922. In 1939 the library was named after the eminent philosopher, dramatist, and publisher M.F. Ahundov. In 2005 according to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers the library obtained the status of National Library of Azerbaijan.
M.F.Ahundov Azerbaijan National Library is a treasury of national culture and state book depository. The Library’s collections contain over 4,5 million materials (2 339 thousand books and 2 122 thousand other materials). In 1947 in the Library was created an archive of Azerbaijan literature. Today the archive totals 7 thousand books, 39 titles of newspapers, 465 titles of journals, 716 scientific papers, 857 microfilms of books, and 852 microfilms of newspapers and journals. In music and audio records department there is a unique archive collection of national audio records and printed music. In 1981 in the department was created a collection of works by Azerbaijan composers.
Today the Library has 25 departments and 26 sections. In 2000 in the Library was open an Internet-center, in 2001 – an Educational Center. Since 2003 the Library has used an automated management system VTLS-Virtua (the USA). Beside an electronic catalog the National Library of Azerbaijan launched the development of an electronic library.
In the framework of the celebration of the Library’s anniversary R.S. Motulsky visited a unique private Museum of a Miniature Book in Baku. The Museum’s collection contains about 6 thousand miniature books, including publications of Belarusian authors: Y. Kolas, Y. Kupala, V. Bykov, P. Brovka, and M. Tank.
National Libraries of Azerbaijan and Belarus carry on an effective cooperation. Delegations from Azerbaijan including representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as libraries and building organizations have recently visited National Library of Belarus. Representatives of Azerbaijan learn Belarusian experience of designing and construction of the building of National Library of Belarus, development and maintaining of engineering and technological systems, and development and use of information resources.
