As anticipation builds for the 2025 World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in Astana, Kazakhstan, the June 2025 issue of IFLA Journal opens with a timely examination of the host country’s library landscape.
In his essay “Nurturing Knowledge: The Evolution of Libraries in Kazakhstan,” Piotr Lapo of the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University and member of the WLIC 2025 National Committee traces the history of Kazakh librarianship, from the stories of the Otrar Library of the Middle Ages to the formation of modern library associations and consortia.
The essay highlights how Kazakh cultural values and historical events have shaped the role of libraries as institutions that both preserve and promote social and cultural heritage. This Journal contribution not only enriches understanding of Kazakhstan’s professional library community but also sets the stage for deeper global dialogue at WLIC 2025.
Explore Piotr’s essay for a thoughtful starting point ahead of the Conference in Astana!