They do not even think who will read this: Azerbaijani culture ministry official

Day.Az: Do not you think advent of information technology has left young people less time to read books as today many books can be found on the Internet...

Latifa Mammadova: This is a common problem in the world. Today this problem is widely discussed in the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia has adopted the national program on reading. Everyone goes out of the situation as he/she can. We also need to create certain conditions in order to attract young people into libraries, and, in particular, to reading.

In general, I believe that the internet has two big drawbacks. First, information is credible in the libraries while in internet there are lot of inaccuracies. Secondly,  information is systematic and processed in libraries unlike internet. Therefore, I believe that internet will never replace library and electronic books are printed editions. Books have always existed and will always exist.

Q: Have young people become less interested in libraries?

A: I would not say that. Several years ago we conducted opinion poll among readers of libraries. A total of 69 percent of respondents said that in spare time they read books, newspapers and magazines, 10 percent said they go to theater and cinema. On the question whether they are satisfied with libraries, 37 percent of respondents answered that libraries has few new books and 50 percent said that from time to time they visit a library, despite the scarcity of certain publications.

Q: What problems concerning libraries are more urgent today?

A: There are many problems. For example, a library- reader-publisher link is cut off in the country. Each library must know what its readers need. Publishers should work in accordance with its requests. Our publishers is currently working on their own. Books are printed, mostly commissioned by private individuals or companies.

Publishers target a single goal - to get the greatest benefit. They do not even think about who will read this. If the book is in demand, it may be re-published after several years. This almost does not happen in Azerbaijan. Libraries are imposed books produced by local publishing houses, and they are forced to acquire them. However, there are still some central libraries, which cooperate with Russia's publishers and receive from them a new book commissioned by readers.

Q: Mainly the older generation work in Azerbaijan’s libraries. One can see young people very rarely ...

A: Young people do not work in libraries for two reasons: low salaries and lack of appropriate conditions. I want to quote the words of U.S. President George W. Bush: "Well-stocked libraries are the key to championship in the U.S. economy and democracy. It was so, it is so and it will be so in future." We need libraries that would attract young people. Today the profession of librarian is considered undervalued. Therefore, young people do not want learn this specialty. But I think that the Library and Information Department of the Baku State University should pay more attention to the practice of students, because today this field has undergone great changes.

Q: What libraries need in order to attract potential readers? Only books?

A: Of course, good books. In short, they must keep up pace with life. If today environmental problems are more urgent, they must focus on this issue. If there is a need for information about avian influenza in Azerbaijan, so it must appear in libraries, and people will go there.

Our libraries have become a meeting place and intellectual centers. In a library you can in fact discuss business, conduct business negotiations for a cup of tea or coffee and at the same time read an interesting magazine or a newspaper. Along with this, it is also necessary to create a separate corner for children. You know, many people will poor into libraries once such conditions are provided.

/Day.Az/