October 21 at the Palace of Arts "Atameken" in Uralsk began its work the International Conference "Independent Kazakhstan: the place of libraries in the social and cultural space", dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the West Kazakhstan regional universal scientific library named after Zh. Moldagaliev Regional Universal Scientific Library.

The conference began with an introduction to the book exhibition of printed products of the libraries of the Republic of Kazakhstan and continued with a plenary session. The moderator of the conference: Director of the Institute "Rukhani Zhangyru" of the West Kazakhstan University named after Makhambet Utemisov, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences and Professor Kydyrshaev Abat Satybaevich.

Welcoming speeches at the conference were made by: Akim of West Kazakhstan region Gali Najimedenovich Iskaliev; poetess, member of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan, laureate of the literary prize "Alash" and the State Prize Akushtap Baktygereeva; head of the cultural department of the West Kazakhstan region Sairan Temirgalievich Duisenov.

Director of the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Library Union Ospanova Bakytzhamal Kairbekovna made the report "Reading as a necessary tool for the spiritual and intellectual breakthrough of the nation".

There was also a speech on the theme "Library policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan: prospects and priorities" by the director of the National Academic Library of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Umitkhan Daurenbekovna Munalbaeva.