ABAI REGIONAL UNIVERSAL LIBRARY
In October 1883, with the help of political exiles, a public library was established in the city of Semey during the second half of the 19th century. The improvement of the library's condition was facilitated by Semey merchants P. Plescheev and S. Khabarov, Pavlodar merchant A. Derov, and Krasnoyarsk merchant G. Yudin, who provided funding to turn it into a significant cultural center. In 1902, after the opening of the Semey branch of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society's West Siberian department, the museum and library came under the care of this department. In its time, this cultural institution was a place where Abai frequently came to read books and meet with his Russian friends.
At that time, the library held printed works and periodicals published in Russia. In 1902, the Primary Education Society opened a reading room in Semey for free use, named after the great Russian writer N.V. Gogol in honor of the 50th anniversary of his death. In 1906, this reading room was merged with the public library, becoming the N.V. Gogol Public Library. For 90 years, the library was named after N. Gogol, but in 1992, after the country gained independence, it was renamed after the great Abai.
The public library of Semey greatly contributed to the cultural and educational development of Abai, who was well-versed in Eastern classics and Russian arts and sciences. For many years, Abai was a regular reader at the public library, where he found a lifelong friend in E.P. Mikhaelist through reading. His acquaintance with like-minded individuals turned into a great friendship, and they helped the poet in his self-education.
Abai drew inspiration from classical Russian literature of the 19th century, expanding his worldview by familiarizing himself with the works of Russian literary classics in the library's collection and examples of European culture and literature through the Russian language. The fact that the genius Abai was a reader of the public library was first highlighted in the documentary research work "Siberia and Exile" by American writer and publicist J. Kennan, published in Russian in 1906.
More than 6,000 valuable rare printed works published from the second half of the 18th century to the early 20th century have been preserved to this day. The rare publications in the library's collection include the rich heritage that Abai read, literature related to the region, scientific publications of the Semey branch of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society, and books published during the lifetimes of Kazakh intellectuals, as well as periodicals from the Soviet era, which have become a source of pride for the Abai library.
From the rare collection, one can find works of Western European thinkers such as G. Spencer, Mill, J.G. Lewis, A. Wallace, and V. Wewell, as well as rich works from writers of the golden age of Western classical literature and Russian literature. Researchers who studied the Semey region have found scientific research articles by B. Gerasimov, E.P. Mikhaelist, N.Ya. Konshin, G.N. Potanin, F. Zobnin, A. Sedelnikov, E. Shmurlo, V. Sapozhnikov, and Kazakh intellectuals such as A. Bokeikhan, J. Akpaev, and others.
Researchers who studied the Semey region, including E.P. Mikhaelist, N.Ya. Konshin, B. Gerasimov, G.N. Potanin, F. Zobnin, A. Sedelnikov, E. Shmurlo, and V. Sapozhnikov, as well as A. Bokeikhan's scientific research articles, are currently providing significant assistance to scholars. The scientific works and literary heritage published during the lifetimes of Kazakh intellectuals such as S. Seyfullin, B. Mailin, Zh. Kuderin, M. Shonanov, A. Ermekov, and Zh. Tileulyn form the golden fund of our rare collection.
The publications that reveal Abai's active personality, preserved in the rare publications collection to this day, are a source of pride for us. In the report "Report of the Council of the Society for the Care of Primary Education in the City of Semipalatinsk for 1893/1894," published during Abai's lifetime, in the 1907 III edition of the Semey branch of the Russian Geographical Society, in N.Ya. Konshin's article "What Can the Semipalatinsk Archives Provide for Regional Studies" in the 1927 XVI Record, in the book "Agricultural Review of the Semipalatinsk Region for 1914," published by merchant P. Plescheev in 1915, and in the report "Report of the Semipalatinsk Department of the Russian Geographical Society from October 1, 1924, to October 1, 1925," one can find information related to the life, works, and public activities of Abai Qunanbayev.
During the war years, the library actively participated in the public life of the city and region, providing informational support to areas liberated from the enemy. Textbooks, political, and artistic literature were sent to Kobelyaki and Poltava for schoolchildren. In 1944, a total of 400 books were sent to the areas liberated from the enemy, and librarians provided services to soldiers on the front lines.
Over the years, writer Mukhtar Auezov, academician Kanysh Satpayev, Abai scholar Kaim Mukhamedkhanov, Azilkhan Nurshaikhov, and other Kazakh intellectuals have been readers of the library. In 1958, librarians M.V. Akimova and M.G. Khasanova were awarded the title of "Honored Librarians of the Kazakh SSR" for exemplary work in library affairs. In 1961, the N.V. Gogol Regional Library of Semey was awarded the title of "Model Library" by the Ministry of Culture of the Kazakh SSR and the Central Committee of the Komsomol of Kazakhstan, along with a diploma. On September 23, 1983, the library was awarded a Certificate of Honor from the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR in honor of its 100th anniversary. Such extensive activities carried out over the years are undoubtedly the result of the dedicated work of our skilled leaders and librarians. For many years, experienced professionals such as M. Akimova, M. Khasanova, Zh. Zhaksibekova, S. Jumagulova, G. Sheniiazova, N. Bryazina, R. Kenseitova, and others have led and served in the library, mentoring young librarians through their professional expertise.
By the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan on December 8, 1992, the library was named after the great Kazakh poet Abai.
The library contributes to the cultural development of society and serves the public readers at all times. The Abai Regional Universal Scientific Library held a national scholarly conference titled "National Bibliography of Kazakhstan in the Current Social and Economic Situation" in 1993.
In 1995, it became a member of IFLA – the International Federation of Library Associations, participating in international conferences held in Turkey, Crimea, Norway, South Korea, and Canada. Since 1996, new technological devices have been introduced to the library in accordance with modern requirements.
In 2004, the library underwent an internship in the USA under the international exchange program "Library Management in the USA." In 2005, it participated in the opening of the National Academic Library in Astana. In 2009, the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Astana allocated a grant for the establishment of an American Corner.
In 2017, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the "Alash" autonomy and the establishment of the Alashorda national government, the Abai library created the "Alash" electronic library, which today enhances Internet users' access to substantial materials about the lives and works of Alash figures, their public activities, and destinies from historical, cultural, and educational institutions in our country and abroad.
Since 2018, our library has implemented the "Abai World" project with the support of the East Kazakhstan regional administration.
As a gift for the 175th anniversary of the great thinker Abai, our library published a catalog of rare publications titled "All Wisdom is in books. Вся мудрость в книгах" in Kazakh, Russian, and English languages, with a print run of 1,000 copies.
On the eve of Abai's 175th anniversary, during his two visits to the city of Semey, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev got acquainted with the works of Russian and Western classics read by the genius poet in the public library, which was once frequented by Abai.
At the "EurasianBookFair" international book exhibitions in Astana in 2021-2022 and 2024-2025, the library presented valuable literature published at the beginning of the 20th century, preserved in the rare publications collection, as well as new publications by regional authors released under the "Abai Way" library project to the visitors of the exhibition.
Starting from 2023, the specialists of the Abai library, with the support of the regional administration, have been implementing the "Abai Way" library project, publishing works by local writers and contributing to the enrichment of the collections of 137 libraries in our region.
The library's collection is annually replenished with books published through state orders, and starting from 2023, with books by local authors published under the "Abai Way" library project with the support of the regional governor. Each year, 9 million tenge is allocated from the regional budget to enrich the library's collection, and necessary literature is purchased based on reader requests through the state procurement program. Residents of rural areas also lend a helping hand to the library's collection by donating books from their personal libraries. The Abai Regional Universal Library participated in the "Best Regional Library" nomination within the framework of the "Spiritual Heritage" – 2025 festival, showcasing the library's outstanding projects. By the decision of the jury members, it was awarded the title of "Best Regional Library" and received a cash prize of 1 million tenge.
Since February 2024, the Abai Regional Universal Library has been headed by poet, Chairman of the Abai Regional Branch of the Writers' Union of Kazakhstan, and winner of the "Daryn" Youth Award, Kart Meirey Meirtaev.