International Cooperation Between Libraries: The Case of Azerbaijan–Türkiye Libraries

The strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, rooted in deep historical, cultural, and linguistic ties, is not limited solely to political and economic spheres. These relations also develop dynamically in the fields of science, education, and culture. Libraries are among the key institutions that serve as a bridge in this context. They carry an important mission in preserving, disseminating, and transmitting the shared cultural heritage of the two brotherly nations to future generations. Document exchange, joint exhibitions, and conferences between the national, university, and scientific libraries of Azerbaijan and Türkiye are just some of the steps taken in this direction. In recent years, the acceleration of digitalization processes has led to the sharing of online resources and the emergence of new opportunities for cooperation between Azerbaijani and Turkish libraries. In this regard, projects such as the Common Digital Library of Turkic-Speaking Countries enable Turkological research to reach a broader audience. Libraries function not only as sources of information, but also as important platforms for fostering closer mutual understanding between peoples and for preserving and promoting shared cultural values. The roots of library cooperation between the two countries date back to the early twentieth century, and this cooperation has expanded both in scope and quality. In particular, the first book exchange programs were implemented in the 1920s–1930s; in the 1990s, Turkish libraries provided Azerbaijan with books and technical support; and since the early 2000s, joint digital library projects have been launched. Examples of such cooperation include providing access to university scientific journals through library websites within the framework of scientific collaboration between the Central Scientific Library of ANAS and Istanbul University Library, as well as between the Central Scientific Library of ANAS and Sinop University; the signing of the Sister Libraries Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Scientific Library and the Rami Library; the exchange of books for readers in both countries; and the provision of remote library services through electronic platforms. In Azerbaijan–Türkiye relations, libraries act not only as guardians of national memory and literary heritage, but also as social institutions and agents of cultural diplomacy, contributing to the integration of Turkic cultures and the formation of a unified Turkic cultural space. In particular, digital library platforms ensure that this cooperation becomes more reliable and sustainable.

Click to cite.

Note: You can access the citation text via the ‘Actions’ tab in Crossref.