Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On November 21, an international scientific conference titled “Innovations in Library and Information Activities in the Digital Era: Creation and Use of Traditional and Electronic Resources” was held at the Central Scientific Library (CSL) of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Central Scientific Library, the international conference brought together 38 institutions from seven countries, including Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Poland, Belarus, and Russia.

At the outset, participants laid flowers at the bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the foyer of the CSL and honored his memory.

This was followed by a tour of the exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Central Scientific Library.

The conference opened with the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Delivering the keynote speech at the plenary session, ANAS President, Academician Isa Habibbayli, stated that the first academic-type scientific institution in Azerbaijan was the Maragha Observatory, founded in 1259 by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, where research was conducted not only in astronomy but also in mathematics, medicine, metaphysics, philosophy, calligraphy, and various other fields of science. The academician noted that two major libraries were active in Azerbaijan during that period, emphasizing that one of them was the library established in Ganja by Abulfaz Nakhchivani, which offered about two thousand books and manuscripts to readers. He added that the other was the library of the Maragha Observatory, which housed 400 titles, laying the foundation for the tradition of academic libraries in Azerbaijan.

Academician Isa Habibbayli recalled that the academic library tradition re-emerged in the 20th century, noting that in 1925, by the decision of the Society for the Study and Research of Azerbaijan, the Library and Bibliography Bureau—predecessor of today’s Central Scientific Library—was established. He emphasized that the library’s first director, Hanafi Zeynalli, made significant contributions to its formation, development, and the enrichment of its collections. He also highlighted the major contributions of eminent literature scholar and bibliographer Professor Aleksandr Bagrin. The ANAS President noted that many distinguished figures and scholars led the library in subsequent years, each contributing to the advancement of both the library and Azerbaijani science.

“As in the destiny of our country, the development of the Central Scientific Library also comprises two important stages. The first covers the years 1969–1982, when National Leader Heydar Aliyev first led Azerbaijan. This period, remembered as a renaissance for our republic, also marked a stage of major advancement in the Academy. Many historic scientific achievements were made, the Academy’s material and technical base was strengthened, and new collections were formed at the Central Scientific Library. The second crucial stage in the library’s development is the construction of its new building thanks to the attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev, and its inauguration with his participation on May 5, 2014. It is due to the President’s support that the library now meets modern standards,” Academician Isa Habibbayli stressed. He added that he had visited nearly 30 libraries of national academies around the world and that none possessed a facility as modern as that of the Central Scientific Library, whose construction was based on international best practices and 21st-century technologies on the President’s instructions.

“The Central Scientific Library has also joined the global library community. While at the beginning of the year we were connected to 81 libraries worldwide, this number has now exceeded 120. We can access online the rich collections of libraries in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and many other countries, and this process is ongoing. As part of the 80th anniversary of ANAS, the Academicians’ Hall of the Central Scientific Library was renovated, and the Academicians’ Collection and reading room were established. One of the main areas of activity of the CSL is to support the principles of Azerbaijani national identity and independent statehood, and this work continues successfully. The library is actively involved in bibliographic studies and produces substantial academic publications. In recent years, the CSL has also expanded its international cooperation. Strong relations have been established with many leading libraries worldwide, particularly the Presidential Library of Türkiye, and their experience has been used to improve the electronic library system. CSL staff members are closely involved in library development efforts in the regions of Azerbaijan, regularly sharing their expertise,” the ANAS President added.

Next, CSL Director, Doctor of Technical Sciences Huseyn Huseynov, presented a report titled “The Development Path and Duties of the Central Scientific Library.” He noted that the Central Scientific Library has always received strong state support: “After National Leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power for the second time in 1993, the attention and care for the library sector in the country positively influenced the activities of the Central Scientific Library, helping it restore international relations, join new projects, and continue enriching its collections. With the Presidential Decree of May 15, 2001, the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences was granted ‘National’ status. These developments also positively shaped the work of the Central Scientific Library.”

He emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev has also paid special attention to the activities of ANAS and, in particular, to the Central Scientific Library. A Presidential Order was signed for the construction of a new modern-type building for the CSL, and in 2014, with the participation of the President, the new building was inaugurated. The facility provides all necessary conditions for efficient operations in line with international standards. Its 14 reading rooms allow more than 1,000 users to receive electronic and traditional services simultaneously.

“Today, the core of the renewed activity of the Central Scientific Library is the development and implementation of a modern model of reader service within the context of global library and information processes. The primary goal of the CSL, which has introduced several innovations aligned with the renewed Academy, is reader satisfaction. One such innovation is the launch of the library’s new website. The ‘E-Services’ section of the site provides access to e-books, full-text databases, abstracts, journals, digital libraries, maps, and more. Through the website, users can access nearly 300 leading libraries and databases worldwide and in Azerbaijan, and conduct patent searches. To date, more than 55,000 full-text books have been prepared for the e-library. Over 41,000 books have been uploaded to the site for public access. As of April 2024, this number had been only 2,700. The electronic catalog now contains 805,000 resources. It should also be noted that newly acquired scanners over the past year have played a vital role in accelerating this work,” he emphasized.

The plenary session continued with speeches by Ali Çelik, Director of Türkiye’s Rami Library; Professor Afet Abbasova, Director of the Presidential Library; Fazil Mustafa, Member of Parliament; Pirmedova Khaitgul Mukhammadovna, Director of the Information Resource Center of Tashkent State University of Law; Sonay Tahmaz Kaleci, Director of the Central Library of Istanbul University; Baxtiyar Nabiyev, Chairman of the YAP Yasamal District Organization; and Associate Professor Khumar Mammadova, Director of the Scientific Library of Nakhchivan State University. Their remarks included congratulations to the CSL, reflections on preparing and implementing a modern model of reader service within the context of global library and information processes, discussions on libraries in the digital transformation era, and new challenges ahead.

Participants then viewed a documentary film dedicated to the CSL’s centenary.

Afterward, CSL Director Huseyn Huseynov was awarded the “80th Anniversary of ANAS” badge by the President of the Academy.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Central Scientific Library, a group of CSL employees was also recognized with Letters of Appreciation and Honorary Diplomas from the ANAS Presidium, the YAP Yasamal District Organization, and the ANAS Independent Trade Union for their effective contributions to the scientific and public life of the library.

The second part of the conference continued with panel sessions titled “Artificial Intelligence in Libraries: Challenges and Prospects,” “Academic Libraries in the Digital Information Environment,” “The Current State of Library Activities: International and Local Experience,” and “The Role of Libraries in Preserving National and Cultural Heritage in Turkic States.”

Issues such as digitalization in heritage preservation, the mission of libraries, protection of cultural heritage in Turkic states, the social and scientific functions of libraries, digitalization and automation in modern academic library processes, artificial intelligence in library activities, new challenges, and development prospects were discussed extensively.

Translation by Gulhane Aghayeva, Department of Public Relations, Press, and Information, Presidium of ANAS.

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