Director of the Presidential Library, Professor Afat Abbasova participated on Friday in a republican scientific conference titled “Modern Trends in the Development of Library and Information Technologies” and made an informative report.
In her remarks, Professor Afat Abbasova highlighted Azerbaijan’s rich library traditions, underlining that libraries, which have been formed in the country since the Middle Ages, are not only a source of knowledge, but also cultural centres that play an irreplaceable role in the spiritual and intellectual development of society. Azerbaijani librarianship, which has passed through a number of stages in its development, has entered a new period of progress since the second half of the 20th century.
Professor Afat Abbasova noted that under the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, special attention and care was paid to librarianship at the state level, important steps were taken to modernize this sphere. It was as a result of the political will of the Great Leader that the threat of liquidation of libraries during independence was averted and their protection and development was ensured. The Librarianship Act, adopted in 1998, laid the foundation for legal regulation in the area of libraries and created the basis for making librarianship a state policy.
She also paid special attention in her speech to the consistent policy pursued in this direction under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. The Government programme for the development of the library and information sector in Azerbaijan, 2008-2013, approved by the Presidential Decree No. 3072 dated October 6, 2008, has become important in this regard in terms of updating the infrastructure of the library sector, applying new technologies, developing modern information services and expanding access to intellectual resources.
Professor Afat Abbasova gave information about the activity of the Presidential Library and informed that the Presidential Library was established by the Decree of National Leader Heydar Aliyev dated January 23, 2003. This Decree ensured the transition of librarianship to a new stage and turning it into an integral part of information policy at the state level. This Decree initiated institutional reforms in the library system and laid the foundation for further development of the Presidential Library.
In her speech, Professor Afat Abbasova also emphasized that in addition to traditional library services, the Presidential Library widely applies innovative services based on modern technologies. Prompt and high-level information support to the readers is provided through the creation of digital resources, provision of full texts of documents in electronic form, online search systems, access to digital databases, virtual service models. This approach has allowed the Presidential Library to become one of the leading centres playing an important role in the development of the information society in the country.
Professor Afat Abbasova’s speech aroused great interest among the participants of the conference.
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