A round table discussion, "Archival and library collections in the digital era: traditional and electronic resources," was held at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University on the Day of Archivists.
This event was organized by the Presidential Center of the Presidential Affairs Department of the Republic of Kazakhstan. During it, electronic resources from the Presidential Center archival and library collections were demonstrated, and work on digitizing archival documents and library collections was discussed.
"The rapid development of information technology has led to numerous changes in the archival and library sphere. Digital technologies have improved the work of archives and libraries, turning them not only into an information center, but also into a socially significant cultural and spiritual center. At the same time, the archive and library collections of the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan not only store valuable materials related to the history of our country, but also present them to visitors,” said the head of the Archival Work Service of the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Khamit Momynkul. “The library of our Center stores rare editions, gift exhibits with dedications from world political and public figures. Scientists and young researchers engaged in issues of history, philosophy, political science can get acquainted with these books in the reading room of the library, where there are currently 14 workstations equipped with modern computer equipment and the Internet. Library services are free and always open to readers,” said the head of the Library Work Service of the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zh. Duysenbieva.
About 50 participants, including faculty members, students, and graduate students, attended the round table discussion from the Faculty of History at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.
"One of the pressing problems in the archival sphere is the personnel issue, the issue of training professional qualified specialists. Our students undergo practical training at the National Archives of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In the Archive's reading room, students, master's and doctoral candidates conduct research for their course papers, theses, and dissertations. In addition, students actively participate in events organized by the Archive, such as historical-documentary exhibitions, round tables, and meetings with renowned scholars and historians," noted KuralaySeitkazina, Head of the Department of Kazakh History at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor.
"The development of the "Documentation and Archival Science" direction leads to an understanding of the need to move away from a narrowly technical understanding of this profession and fill it with broader content, allowing not only to apply existing technologies and ensure competent work with information. As information becomes a strategic resource, it is essential to know how to manage it, which requires a broad humanitarian education," said Gulnar Musabalina, Professor at L.N. GumilyovEurasian National University.
At the conclusion of the round table, an exhibition from the archival and library collections of the Presidential Center of the DPA RK, titled "Improving the Ecological Situation Is Our Primary Task," was held.
It is worth noting that the archival collection of the Presidential Center of the DPA RK currently holds approximately 160,000 items, while the library's collection comprises around 20,000 publications.
