The current library network in Azerbaijan meets only 35 percent of the population's demand, according to Culture Minister Adil Karimli.
As reported by the Operative Information Center-OMM, the minister addressed these figures during a public discussion held by the Culture Committee of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) on the topic of "The current state and development prospects of the library system."
Minister Karimli emphasized that the Ministry of Culture has set a primary goal of ensuring access to books for all citizens of Azerbaijan, as well as for guests and foreign nationals visiting the country. "To achieve this goal, the library service network and its geographical distribution are being restructured. While there is a sufficient number of buildings in terms of infrastructure, they do not fully meet the demand. If we consider the principle of localization and geographical distribution, these institutions currently satisfy only 35 percent of the demand in this sector," the minister stated.
The minister further outlined an ambitious target to significantly increase this coverage. "Our future goal is to ensure 95 percent accessibility to libraries for the population, and eventually reach 100 percent. In short, the level of accessibility found in universities in Baku should be replicated in regional universities as well," Karimli added.
The Milli Majlis, as the legislative body of Azerbaijan, frequently hosts such public hearings to address systemic improvements in cultural and educational infrastructure. These discussions are part of a broader national strategy to modernize public services and enhance educational resources across the country's regions, moving beyond the capital to ensure equitable access to information and literature for all citizens.
