The Central City Library named after A. P. Chekhov

The centralized Library system of Almaty (hereinafter referred to as the Library) was organized in 1984. The creation of the Library was preceded by the centralization of libraries in the city, which was carried out in 3 stages. In July 1976, children's libraries were centralized. In January 1977, 21 mass libraries of the city began to operate under the conditions of centralization. By the decision of the Almaty City Executive Committee of the Council of People's Deputies "On the unification of the central systems of children's and mass libraries of Almaty" No. 231 dated January 24, 1984, the centralized systems of children's and mass libraries of Almaty were merged. Almaty and the Centralized Library System of Almaty is organized. 

The main purpose of the State Institution "Centralized Library System of Almaty" is library and bibliographic service of the population and satisfaction of its cultural needs. 

The year 2000, declared by the first President of the Republic as the "Year of Cultural Support", contributed to the opening of the Library of Kazakhstani Writers (BKP) on the basis of branch No. 13 in Almaty.

In the photo - Zhambyl City Youth Library

By the Resolution of the Akimat of Almaty No. 1/190 dated March 26, 2015 "On the reorganization of some municipal state institutions of the Department of Culture of the city of Almaty" institutions "Centralized Library System of Almaty", "State Youth Library named after Zhambyl", "State Children's Library named after S. Begalin" by merging into KSU "Centralized Library System of Almaty" Department of Culture of Almaty. 

In 2017, within the framework of the Rukhani Zhangyru program, Modernization of Library branches began to create a modern complex of services, a creative atmosphere of communication and reading.

In the photo: The Central City Children's Library named after S. Begalin

In 2018, the Zhambyl City Youth Library was modernized. The library has a modern "Orep space" with areas for working with book publications, electronic information, watching documentaries, scientific and educational films, presentations and intellectual clubs.

In 2019, 5 branches of the Library underwent modernization: library-branch No. 15; library-branch No. 20; library-branch No. 24; library-branch No. 32; library-branch No. 33.

In 2020, 10 branches of the Library: the Central City Library named after Chekhov; Library of Kazakhstani Writers; City Children's Library named after Krylova; library-branch No. 1; library-branch No. 4; library-branch No. 6; library-branch No. 26; library-branch No. 29; library-branch No. 30; library-branch No. 44.

In 2023, there are 2 branches of the Library: No. 39 library-branch, No. 14 library-branch.

As a result of the modernization of branches, the Department of Culture of Almaty conducted a press tour with the participation of journalists from the leading media of Almaty and bloggers. The branches of the Library have not only acquired a new look, but have changed their working hours — daily from 9.00 to 20.00, seven days a week. After modernization, the number of seats in each branch has increased, various corners for individual work, communication, events and Internet halls have been created.

In December 2020, as part of the implementation of the "City without Suburbs" strategy, a new creative space "ALATAU CREATIVE HUB" was opened in the Nurkent microdistrict (Alatau district). The center has opportunities for learning programming, developing creative industries, creative potential and virtual art. In 2021, the library of the new format "Almaly Kitaphanasy" was opened at 46 Maulenova Street. It features multifunctional areas: a reading room, coworking and demonstration areas. Currently, there are 28 branches in Almaty that are part of the Library, implementing state policy in the field of culture and education through the active development and improvement of the city's library system, as well as ensuring access to literary and information resources for residents of the city.

Library Fund-(general fund, unique publications)-1 157 367

Information about rare manuscripts (collections) stored in the library -306 copies.