The State Library of Turkmenistan celebrated its 130th anniversary

The State Library of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan hosted a ceremonial event dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the first library in our country. The event brought together readers, librarians and cultural figures to discuss the rich history and modern development of one of the oldest cultural institutions.

Speakers at the event emphasised the unchanging importance of books in the life of every person. It was noted that the library, developing throughout its long history, has always remained relevant and accessible to everyone. In honour of the anniversary, the most active employees were presented with memorable gifts. The participants of the ceremony expressed gratitude to the country's leadership for their support and attention to the development of the library system.

The history of the State Library of Turkmenistan dates back to the late 19th century. It opened in August 1895 as the Transcaspian Regional Public Library with a collection of several thousand books. From the first years of its existence, the library actively developed. New departments appeared, books began to be published in the Turkmen language, and it became a methodological centre for the entire country.  Even the devastating earthquake of 1948, which destroyed the building and the collection, did not stop its work. Within a few months, the library resumed its activities.

Today, the State Library is a modern scientific, information, cultural and educational centre. Its collection contains more than 5.6 million publications, and its activities cover many areas - from the restoration of rare books to the introduction of digital technologies. The library is actively digitising its collections and working within the Unified Electronic Library System (UELS) to make knowledge accessible to all residents of the country. 

At the same time, librarians are not limited to stationary work. They constantly interact with people, organising traveling exhibitions, literary evenings and literature reviews. The official website of the library regularly publishes news about events and creative meetings, which allows readers to always be up to date. Active and multifaceted activities make the library an important participant in cultural life. 

This mission has received even greater support at the state level. In January 2025, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a Resolution approving the State Program for the Development of the Library Sphere for 2025-2029. The document is intended not only to improve librarianship and introduce innovations, but also to formalise the importance of the work that the library carries out. Thanks to this program, the State Library of Turkmenistan will continue to be a centre of education, uniting the past, present and future of the country.