Libraries of Russia: National Library of Kazakhstan donates books to the National Library of Russia

On September 23 2010 in the main building of the National Library of Russia in the Korf hall the National Library of Kazakhstan donated a book collection to the National Library of Russia (Almaty).

A unique collection entitled “Cultural Heritage of Kazakhstan”, which numbers 8490 volumes, was issued in accordance with the State Program of the Republic. Scholars of Kazakhstan have selected the best works covering history, archaeology, ethnography of their country, masterpieces of literature, and art albums. Among the exhibits are: books from the “Religious-moral Dastans” series – collection of Kazakh folklore, which had been being developed for centuries; the “Ancient World of Law of Kazakhs” code, which casts the light on the history of legislation of Kazakh people, and many other valuable editions.

Book donation is a part of a large-scale joint project of the National libraries of Russia (St. Petersburg) and Kazakhstan (Almaty) called “Documentary Memory of Kazakhstan at the National Library of Russia”. Under the agreement, concluded between the libraries, the National Library of Russia will digitize and donate to the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan electronic counterparts of old and rare Kazakh books, which are housed at the National Library of Russia and are not available at the Republic of Kazakhstan’s libraries. These books were being detected by curators of both libraries – the National Library of Russia and the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan. New technologies enable librarians to “fill in the gaps” of certain failing editions without breaking already existing collections and book transition.

Donation of the “Cultural Heritage of Kazakhstan” collection is a reciprocal step of Kazakh colleagues in response to the received digital copies donated to them by the National Library of Russia. In 2011 the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan will hold a presentation of the digital collection of received books. Libraries-partners express gratitude to the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan for contribution in book transportation to St. Petersburg and organization of the exhibition at the National Library of Russia.