President Aliyev opens National Academy of Sciences' Central Library
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the new building of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences' Central Library on May 5.
The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the library. He was presented with a membership card as library's first reader.
Addressing the event, ANAS President Akif Alizade, briefed President Aliyev on the facilities of the new library building, adding that closed, open and special funds of the library contained around 5 million books.
"The 14 reading rooms enable more than 1,000 readers to review electronic and printed books at the same time," Alizade said.
He further said the new building would also operate a Resource Center, adding that the Central Library would also enable scientists to take advantage of the broad opportunities of the world's leading libraries.
After a tour around the library, President Aliyev gave relevant instructions and recommendations.
President Aliyev also attended the opening ceremony of a new building of the "Azerbaijan National Encyclopedia" science center afterwards.
According to an executive order signed by President Ilham Aliyev in 2012, five million manats was allocated for the construction of the new building of the science center.
The five-storey building constructed in the academic camp has all the necessary conditions for academic activities.
After touring the building, the head of state was informed about the "Azerbaijan" special edition, entirely dedicated to Azerbaijan and containing a total of 155 articles divided in 14 chapters. The edition was published in the Azerbaijani language in 2007 and in Russian in 2012. Work on the English version of the "Azerbaijan" edition is currently underway.
Then, the head of the editorial staff presented President Aliyev with the "Encyclopedia of the Azerbaijani Mugham" under the editorship of First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, as well as a copy of the world's first encyclopedia prepared in 847 and the books by German scientists Michael Reinhart Hess and Reinhart Moritzen dedicated to Imadaddin Nasimi.
The president praised the work done in the building and gave further instructions.
Later, President Aliyev has attended the opening of a newly built underground pedestrian passage and tunnel in front of the Shafa stadium on the Heydar Aliyev Avenue in Baku.