The 1998 Law on Library Work in Azerbaijan no longer meets contemporary requirements and requires urgent updates to align with modern standards, according to officials.
As reported by the Operative Information Center-OMM, this issue was highlighted by Adil Valiyev, head of the Social Legislation Department of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly), during a public discussion held by the parliamentary Committee on Culture titled "Current State and Development Prospects of the Library System."
Valiyev noted that 28 years have passed since the law's adoption, making the implementation of new mechanisms essential. "We do not necessarily need to draft entirely new legislation, as that would be time-consuming. Instead, we must amend the existing law. Primarily, two key concepts must be introduced: the definition of an 'electronic library' and the provision for 'remote services.' The concept of a 'virtual reader' exists today, and users should be able to access library materials remotely without physically visiting the facility," Valiyev stated.
Minister of Culture Adil Karimli also supported the initiative, acknowledging that the current legislation is insufficient. "It is necessary to make certain changes to the legislation, and we must begin this work immediately," the Minister added.
The modernization of library legislation is part of a broader effort in Azerbaijan to digitize public services and cultural infrastructure. By integrating electronic resources and remote access, the government aims to increase accessibility for citizens and align the national library network with international digital standards.
