Ilham Aliyev attends opening ceremony of new building of Central Library of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

A new building of the Central Library of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) has been opened.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the library.

The new building of the Central Library has been built in accordance with the order of President Ilham Aliyev dated 29 April 2011. In November of the same year, the President laid the foundation of a new library building. Initially, 2 million manats were allocated from the Contingency Fund of the President for the construction of the new building. To complete the construction work, a total of 34 million manats were spent in 2011-2013 in accordance with orders of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The president of ANAS, Academician Akif Alizadeh, told the President that ??the new library building, constructed in the academic camp, covers an area of more than 28,000 square meters. It is the largest universal research center in our country. It possesses a large stock of scientific publications of national and global significance. The Central Library serves as a subdivision of the Academy and is engaged in the fields of library science, bibliography, history of books and information. This science and culture institution has a rich history and represents a specialized reference center for all integrated and industry-specific issues studied within the ANAS system. It is also the leading national center of scientific and technical information. Initial steps to establish the Central Library were taken in 1923-1924. The library, which entered into a new stage in its development in 1945, has covered a long road, especially in the years of great leader Heydar Aliyev’s presidency. In January 2003, on the basis of a relevant order of the President of Azerbaijan, the Central Library received the status of a scientific institution. The past years have seen profound structural changes in the Central Library, as new departments dealing with specific research have been created. The library building is equipped in accordance with international standards and is well suited for fruitful work.

It was noted that the new six-storey building had an interesting design and a modern appearance. The most advanced domestic and foreign experiences in architecture were used during construction. The area surrounding the building has been extensively landscaped.

At the entrance to the building there is a bust of great leader Heydar Aliyev.

In accordance with the instructions of the President, special attention has been paid to the application of information and communication technologies based on the latest scientific and technological achievements.

President Ilham Aliyev was presented with a card of the first reader of the ANAS Central Library.

It was indicated that the library card was issued automatically to anyone interested. The country’s most advanced library equipment and systems have been applied to this library for the first time. The electronic kiosks installed at the entrance provide detailed information about the way the library is structured, the plan of each floor, the location of various departments and books, including the newly-received publications. There is also a special kiosk for people with disabilities. The displays available on all floors of the library show detailed information about newly received literature. Ordering of books in the library is done electronically.

It was noted that there are 300 computers at the library. The computers connected to the system via a server form a single network and have modern software in accordance with relevant requirements. This allows the library the opportunity to link up with leading libraries of the world on the condition of payment of a subscription fee.

The library also has a special section dedicated to the first 15-people team of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences established on 27 March 1945. The room for academicians of this academic institution is fitted with cutting-edge equipment. A total of 50 academicians can engage in fruitful research here. The 14 reading rooms of the new Central Library building can accommodate more than 1,000 readers at a time. Subscription services provided directly to employees of the Academy will be available to 80 readers at the same time. All the conditions are also available to respond to the requests of virtual subscribers residing in different parts of the country.

It was mentioned that the library also operates a thesis hall, which is well suited for productive activity. Also at the disposal of readers are discussion and other rooms equipped with modern appliances.

It was noted that the new building, along with the traditional book fund, would also operate the "National digital memory" database, which will incorporate systematic information about the libraries, foundations, museums, secondary schools, universities, research institutions, media outlets, archives, private collections, collections of creative associations, and the government photo archive operating in Azerbaijan. It will also include information concerning Azerbaijan and stored in museums, exhibition halls and research centers around the world, as well as electronic catalogs of works of art, manuscripts, artifacts and documents. This will provide both our compatriots and foreigners with the opportunity to use objective information about Azerbaijan.

The library operates specialized halls for relevant departments of the Academy. There is also a large conference room for staging various events here.

It was indicated that in accordance with the decision of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the new building, along with the Central Library, would also operate a Resource Center. The main goal of both entities is to provide a modern database for conducting scientific research at a high level. The new building will store the main fund, which will incorporate 3.5 million books, as well as a large number of drawings, maps, films and other media. In general, the new building of the ANAS Central Library will allow scientists the opportunity to use the resources of the world’s leading libraries. As a result of focused activities of all units, information will become a manageable and coordinated strategic resource.

It was also mentioned that the classification department is also based on the latest scientific and technical advances. This department operates modern equipment to prepare copies of all books and perform other operations in a short time using a high-speed scanner.

The head of state was also provided with detailed information about modern digital printing, electronic management of archives and other technologies. The library will host regular exhibitions of new publications.

It was noted that the library has a closed fund with special conditions capable of storing about 4 million books. Appropriate conditions have been created for the visually impaired people to be able to use the library resources.

President Ilham Aliyev was presented with architectural sketches of buildings of the ANAS Presidium, the new Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics and the National Seismological Service being designed, as well as recreation areas for Academy employees in the Mardakan settlement.

After reviewing the new building of the ANAS Central Library, President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the staff on the remarkable event and gave relevant instructions and recommendations.