TELEPHONE FOR INFORMATION: +7 (727) 267-28-83

"The library – as a multi-functional, multi-level socio-cultural institution of society"

(Almaty, 13-14 September 2018)

On September 13-14, 2018, the National library of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the Ministry of culture and sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted the all-Kazakhstan Congress of librarians "Library – as a multi-functional, multi-level socio-cultural Institute of society".

The Congress was attended by 182 delegates from all regions of the Republic, Deputy of the Senate, Chairman of the Committee on socio-cultural development and science Aitimova Byrganym sarievna, representatives of the party "Nur Otan", the Ministry of culture and sports, the Ministry of education and science, heads and specialists of national and state libraries of the CIS countries, regional universal scientific libraries, national scientific libraries of Kazakhstan, University libraries, representatives of scientific and cultural intelligentsia, 15 colleagues from near and far abroad.

Delegates of the all-Kazakhstan Congress of librarians, representing libraries of all systems and departments of the country, noted that the Congress raised topical issues and identified the main priorities of the strategy for the further development of the library industry of the Republic.

This is especially important, because in the context of globalization and spiritual modernization of society, a special role and importance is given to the library as a center of access to information and knowledge, contributing to the improvement of quality human capital - as the main factor in the sustainable development of society and the formation of a competitive personality to fulfill the tasks set by President N. Nazarbayev on entering the top thirty developed countries of the world, as well as voiced in the programs "Bolashaka bagdar: rukhani zhangyru" and "Digital Kazakhstan".

The delegates of the Congress note that the libraries of Kazakhstan participate and contribute to the entry of Kazakhstan into the global information space.

Performing traditional functions and based on the strategy of renewal, libraries are transforming, in the future they focus on the modernization of their activities, the essence of which is comprehensively considered in the reports and speeches of the delegates of the Congress.

At the same time, the Congress, having analyzed the current state of the library industry, identified a number of systemic problems that negatively affect the activities of libraries and require solutions:

Imperfection of the legal framework of the library business, namely, the absence of the Law "On library business". Existing regulations and by-laws do not allow libraries to fully exercise their information, cultural and educational functions. The absence of a special law creates certain difficulties in the legal regulation of the development of library business in the country, the problems of information and library services, etc., which leads to an imbalance in the work of libraries of different levels.

To implement the Concept of cultural policy in Kazakhstan and the program "Digital Kazakhstan" it is necessary to complete and promptly digitize the entire library Fund of Kazakhstan. One of the limiting factors in the creation and formation of an electronic library (including KazNEB) is the Law "On copyright and related rights", which does not allow to present in full the work of modern authors in digital format without the consent of the authors or their right holders.

It is required to add to the Law of Kazakhstan "On culture" to the existing list of paid services item: "provision of services for the organization and conduct of mass, business and leisure activities with the provision of library facilities." This is due to the fact that libraries are state organizations and do not have the right to compensate for the cost of events.

And also, in order to ensure the completeness of the acquisition of funds of regional libraries of the Republic, as part of the regional cultural heritage, it is necessary to make an addition to the Law "On culture" in paragraph 2-1 of article 24 of the 3rd paragraph: "Mandatory free copies of printed publications issued in the city, district, on the day of their manufacture are sent by the owner of the publication to the regional universal libraries; issued in the territory of the Republic on the relevant profile of the branch of knowledge or practice are sent to the branch of the Republican library".

Weak updating and updating of the library Fund. Library collections of the country for the most part do not meet the modern requirements of providing information to the population, are outdated morally and physically, are not provided with mandatory copies of publications, the lack of planned state support and a unified thematic and typological plan of publishing houses of printed products. Receipt of electronic books in libraries is insignificant.

Observation of the negative trend in the state of the country's library business. As a result of demographic and other social and material problems in the regions, there is a decrease in library indicators of mass libraries, in some regions there is an optimization of the library network, the elimination and closure of libraries by local government authorities.

The integration of electronic library and information resources of Kazakhstan into a single integrated system is slowly taking place. The country's libraries have accumulated a large amount of information resources, however, libraries work in isolation from each other, and departmental dissociation of libraries is also great. Currently, the libraries of the Republic use various automated library and information systems, which, in turn, slows down the process of corporate interaction of libraries and reduces the efficiency of the use of a set of information resources.

The existing traditional system of service in libraries needs modernization, today it does not meet the expectations of readers. Most libraries offer a limited set of traditional and conservative services, not finding and not being able to introduce new services to users to turn the library into a "house" of knowledge and a guarantee of free access to information, a center of assistance in social and professional adaptation, a place of intellectual leisure and communication; an environment for the realization of abilities, talents, social ambitions and many more.et al.

There is no proper level of creating conditions for library and information services for users with special health opportunities (availability of resources and services of libraries, special equipment. equipment and software competence of the bib.staff's.)

The problem of providing the library industry of the Republic with qualified specialists. Libraries are experiencing an acute shortage of specialists with higher education, both in the regions of the country and in Kazakhstan as a whole. Vacancies in libraries are filled mainly at the expense of employees without library education, accounting for up to 40% of the total number of employees. Not only highly qualified specialists, but also a well-established system of continuous library education are necessary for competitiveness in the information market. There is no scientific support for the training of library staff in the country.

It is necessary to develop professional standards with the participation of employers or library associations for the preparation of curricula in educational institutions. There are no specialists who meet the requirements of modern library activities (librarians-teachers to work with children, librarians to work with people with special needs, managers,restorers, etc.).)

Low wages of library workers, which inevitably leads to the outflow of highly qualified personnel from the industry and the lack of influx of new specialists. As of 01.01.2018, there are about 20,000 employees in 11 310 libraries in the country.

Unsatisfactory condition of material and technical, technological base of libraries and its non-compliance with the requirements of comfort and safety of functioning. At present, the premises of many libraries do not meet modern requirements for the conditions of servicing readers and storage of funds.

Despite the problems faced by the libraries of the Republic, in their activities they are making every effort to be in demand in society and meet their purpose, as well as trying to attract the attention of society and the state to transform the library into a multi-functional, multi-level socio-cultural Institute of society.

In this regard, the Congress delegates recognize the need for the following decisions:

Development of the Concept of library business development in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Adoption of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On library business".

Amendments and additions to the law "On copyright and related rights" on copying and digitization of publications by analogy with the Russian legislation.

Making additions to the Law "On culture" in paragraph 4 of article 24 in the list of paid services: "the provision of services for the organization and conduct of mass, business and leisure activities with the provision of library facilities."

Introduction of additions to the Law "On culture" paragraph 2-1 of article 24 of the 3rd paragraph: "Mandatory free copies of printed publications issued in the city, district on the day of their manufacture are sent by the owner of the publication to the regional universal libraries; issued in the territory of the Republic on the relevant profile of the branch of knowledge or practice are sent to the branch of the Republican library."

Development of a Model standard of special libraries for the blind and visually impaired citizens of the Republic.

Development and implementation of the State program of reading support "Reading Kazakhstan".

Consolidation of the status of the National library of Kazakhstan as a scientific and methodological center for the libraries of the Republic.

Separation of powers of two national libraries: the National library of Kazakhstan and the National academic library of Kazakhstan in Astana.

State support for the acquisition of library funds.