Museum of rare books
The Museum of Rare Books is a unique scientific and educational institution aimed at preserving and promoting the scientific and historical-cultural heritage of Kazakhstan. The museum was established by Order No. 35-PR of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 1, 2010, in accordance with the Charter of the Republican State Enterprise "Gylym Ordasy." It operates within the building of the Central Scientific Library, located in the historical and scientific complex in the city of Almaty.
The main goal of the museum is to preserve a collection of written heritage, rare publications, and manuscripts, ensure their scientific study, and provide broad public access, thereby contributing to the dissemination of the country's cultural and spiritual legacy.
The core scientific objective of the museum is to demonstrate the evolution of written culture in Kazakhstan and, more broadly, in the Turkic-Muslim world. The exhibition reflects the development of written sources - from early manuscript monuments to modern printed materials. This evolution is closely tied to the spread of knowledge, religion, science, and culture at various stages of societal development.
The museum's collection consists of valuable and scientifically significant artifacts. Its core holdings are rare editions from the Central Scientific Library's collection, as well as manuscripts and books donated by prominent scholars and public figures. Currently, the museum houses more than 500 written monuments, dating from the 18th century to the 1940s.
The materials feature broad chronological and geographical coverage, along with rich thematic diversity. The collection includes manuscripts written in Arabic, Persian, and Turkic languages, as well as books printed in Arabic script, Latin, and Old Slavic Cyrillic. These works are essential sources that confirm Kazakhstan’s, Central Asia’s, and the Middle East’s contributions to the development of the scientific and educational sphere. Of particular value are foundational works in Islamic sciences, philosophy, medicine, mathematics, linguistics, and history. The collection also includes copies of medieval written monuments and rare editions published in Kazakhstan in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The museum is actively engaged in scientific research and educational outreach. Exhibitions are regularly updated, and as part of digitization projects, manuscripts and books are scanned and made accessible to the academic community and the general public. Additionally, a number of the museum's exhibits have been recognized as intangible cultural heritage of Kazakhstan, and protective measures are in place to safeguard them.
Today, the Museum of Rare Books serves not only as a repository of valuable editions but also as a center for the study of Kazakhstan’s written heritage, a vital platform for deepening historical awareness and fostering intercultural dialogue. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of national science and culture and in the process of the country’s spiritual renewal.