International Conference ‘Libraries in the Digital Age: Innovations, Services, and Provision’

On 6–7 June 2024, the International Conference ‘Libraries in the Digital Age: Innovations, Services’ was held in Bishkek, timed to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Association of Electronic Libraries and the 70th anniversary of the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov.

M.K. Dzhailkanova, Head of the Scientific Library of the International Higher School of Medicine, as Executive Director of the Association of Electronic Libraries (AEL), was one of the members of the organising committee for the preparation and organisation of the AEL conference.

M.K. Dzhailkanova was the moderator on the first day of the conference, during which she gave a presentation entitled ‘The Electronic Libraries Association of Kyrgyzstan: Innovative Areas of Activity and Its Results.’ On the second day of the conference, M.K. Dzhailkanova was the moderator during the discussion and approval of the participants' recommendations and the presentation of certificates and awards.

M.K. Dzhailkanova was awarded the ‘AEL Medal of Honour’ for her active and long-standing participation in the activities of the Association of Electronic Libraries.

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The conference was organised by the Electronic Libraries Association (kyrlibnet.kg) and the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov.

The following speakers delivered welcoming remarks to the conference participants:

•M.K. Chynybaev, Rector of Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov;

• Ch.J. Toychubekova, Leading Specialist of the Department for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic;

•Arzybaev A.M., Vice-Rector for Research at Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov;

•  Mamutova N.S., President of the Association of Electronic Libraries, Director of the Library of Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov.

The conference programme was rich and useful, during which issues related to the activities of IFLA member library associations in Asia and Oceania, as well as the Association of Electronic Libraries in Kyrgyzstan, were discussed; the experience of foreign and Kyrgyz libraries in the field of digitisation of library collections; problems related to regulatory and regulatory issues in library activities; access to international electronic resources and the implementation of innovative solutions to ensure the quality and methods of information and library services; the development of higher and secondary vocational education in librarianship and the continuous improvement of the professional skills and knowledge of librarians in Kyrgyzstan.

The conference was attended by about 80 heads and specialists of information and library centres, educational and cultural institutions, ICT specialists, representatives of ministries and departments, as well as suppliers of information resources and services, computer programs, systems and equipment for libraries from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Russia, the United States and Uzbekistan.

Following the conference, the Association of Electronic Libraries decided to send information on the state and problems of digitisation in the library sector of Kyrgyzstan to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic for discussion and joint further practical solutions.