Aktobe Regional Universal Scientific Library named after S.Baishev is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the region, which traces its history back to 1896 - the time of the creation of the first public library in the city. 

In 1932, the Aktobe region was established and the Aktobe Regional Library was founded on the basis of the central city library. By the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated September 22, 1999, the Aktobe Regional Universal Scientific Library was named after a prominent scientist, academician Saktagan Baishevich Baishev.

As part of the state program "Digital Kazakhstan", the library has translated books into electronic digital format.

Currently, librarians use an improved specialized Web-based program in their work. 

Today, the library is the largest cultural center with information resources of the region.

The book fund of the Aktobe regional Universal Scientific library named after S.Baishev is 322557 copies

The library's Collection includes musical editions, literature in foreign languages, socio-political and natural science literature, fiction and audio books.

The collection of rare books is concentrated in the department of storage of the main fund. 647 copies of the works of the press represent the following collections:

-rare editions of the late XIX – early XX centuries

-Kazakh press, books about Kazakhstan

One of the most valuable collections of the rare editions fund is rare editions of the late XIX – early XX centuries, which were released by famous book publishers A.F. Marx, F.F. Pavlenkov. The most interesting multi–volume edition is the "Encyclopedic Dictionary" by Brockhaus and Efron (1890-1907). In addition to encyclopedic publications, the fund also has books of industry literature. A significant part of the library's rare book collection consists of fiction from both well-known Russian and foreign classics, as well as works by little-known writers. All books were published between 1890 and 1917. Many publications have ex-libris, stamps of public and private libraries, owner's notes and notes.

The collection "Kazakhstanika" occupies a large place in the fund of rare and valuable publications – a collection of books on the history, Kazakh literature, geography and culture of Kazakhstan. These are mostly books from the late 30s and 40s.    

There are no rare manuscripts in the library's collection.