RARE COLLECTIONS OF EAST KAZAKHSTAN LIBRARIES ARE BEING DIGITIZED AT AMANZHOLOV UNIVERSITY

At Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, large-scale work is underway to digitize rare book collections from libraries across the East Kazakhstan region. The project aims to preserve unique editions and provide open access to them for a wide audience.

Some of the books in these collections are more than 300 years old. Specialists carefully scan each page to avoid damaging fragile centuries-old publications. All work is carried out in full compliance with preservation standards for rare and valuable materials.

The preservation of library collections is being implemented within the framework of the national policy on the modernization of cultural heritage. At the Fifth National Kurultai, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed that special attention be given to the condition of library collections, and a special commission is planned to be established under the Government to assess them. A digital catalog and a dedicated version for the university library’s website are currently being developed. This will provide broader access to unique knowledge and valuable historical materials while ensuring the preservation of the collection for future generations.

Particularly valuable among the digitized materials are the first maps of Kazakhstan dating back to 1701 and the only copy in the country of the Kazakh–Russian dictionary by Ish-Muhammed Bukin. In addition, publications included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage are being converted into digital format.

The project demonstrates how modern digital technologies help not only preserve the cultural heritage of the region but also make it accessible to researchers, students, and all interested members of the public.