The Library of the Baku Theatre School, established in 1923, began its activities in 1925.
The library of this higher education institution, which became the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts (ASUCA) in 1991, has undergone a long process of historical development. The formation of a rich collection of documentary and information resources and the advancement of library, bibliographic and information services to modern standards represent significant scientific and cultural achievements throughout the University’s history. As a major repository of knowledge and culture, the Library is one of the largest higher education libraries in Azerbaijan specializing in culture and arts, as well as in the social, public and humanities disciplines.
Since 2014, the Library has operated as the Library and Information Centre. Its main areas of activity include the acquisition of print and electronic publications in line with the University’s academic profile; scientific classification and organization of resources; computerization of library processes; analytical, bibliographic and information support for research; facilitating access to the collection; organizing academic and public events; and conducting research in library and information science. These activities are carried out through the IRBIS-64 Automated Library Information System (ALIS).
The Centre holds a diverse and specialized collection covering various fields of culture and arts, including theatre, film, television, visual arts and music, as well as the humanities. Its collection comprises 518,987 documentary and information resources, including books, albums, catalogues, journals, abstracts of dissertations, dissertations, sheet music and electronic publications in Azerbaijani and other languages.
The Library and Information Centre preserves 192 rare and valuable publications dating from 1900 to 1940, primarily covering theatre and visual arts. Of these, 36 books have been included in the National Register of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Book Monuments) by the Ministry of Culture, following the signing of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 11 April 2007 approving the Rules for the Compilation and Maintenance of Official Registers of Movable Property.
The Library and Information Centre’s Digital Library model is being developed in three main areas: online learning resources; a virtual library (Calameo); and the expansion of electronic resources in PDF format. This model enables the Centre to provide virtual services to users. A digital database of online learning resources developed within ASUCA’s 21 departments and MBA program is accessible through the Library and Information Centre’s website. Direct access to online learning resources is also available through the Teacher’s Cabinet and Student’s Cabinet on the EDUMAN platform. To facilitate convenient and timely access to these resources, an eight-section User Guide for the Library and Information Centre has been prepared and made available on the website.
The official ASUCA website features a dedicated webpage for the Library and Information Centre. It provides users with information resources through a range of sections, including Electronic Catalogue, Educational Publications, Rare Books, Online Services, Our Publications, and Media. The website’s dedicated Virtual Exhibition section presents newly acquired documentary and information resources, accompanied by annotations, for readers and visitors.
The current structure and multifunctional activities of ASUCA’s Library and Information Centre create opportunities to pursue new goals in optimizing the information potential of education and research in the fields of culture and arts, modernizing library, bibliographic and information services for faculty members, students, researchers and specialists, and bringing these services in line with international standards.
The Library and Information Centre operates in two buildings, serving the respective faculties.
Currently, Natig Mursalov works as a bibliographer, while Taliya Khudiyeva and Sadagat Baghirova serve as librarians. Tamilla Asgarova has headed the Library and Information Centre since 2016.