On November 6, 2025, the Associate Professor of the Department of Social and Humanitarian Disciplines and World Languages at the International Engineering-Technological University and head of the “Ölketanu” Student Club, S. D. Shaimukhanova, organized an educational excursion with second-year students to the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main purpose of the visit was to broaden students’ cultural and intellectual horizons, to foster interest in national history and heritage, and to cultivate a deep respect for reading and cultural values.
During the excursion, students learned about the rich history and development of the National Library. Its origins date back to 1910, when the Verny City Library named after L. N. Tolstoy was founded. In 1920, the institution became the Semirechye Regional Public Library, later transformed into the Almaty Provincial and then District Library. Over time, it grew into one of the most significant cultural and research centers in the region, playing a vital role in the fields of library science, Kazakh book history, and national bibliography. The first director of the library was Uraz Zhandosov, a prominent statesman and public figure who greatly contributed to the development of education and culture in Kazakhstan. In 2020, by decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the library was granted the status of “National Library.” Today, its collection exceeds seven million books and documents, attracting more than one million visitors annually, with book lending reaching nearly two million copies.
In the same year, the library opened two thematic centers dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the great Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbayev and the 1150th anniversary of the philosopher and scholar Al-Farabi. These centers have become important cultural and educational platforms promoting Kazakhstan’s intellectual and spiritual heritage. During the visit, students explored the modern architecture of the library, visited the rare books and manuscripts section, the electronic resources hall, and the multimedia centers. They were introduced to modern methods of preservation, digitization, and open access to information. Such educational visits play an important role in expanding students’ knowledge, nurturing national identity, and fostering respect for Kazakhstan’s cultural and historical heritage.