The National Library of Abkhazia: Problems, Searches, Solutions, by Boris Cholaria

One would think the importance and significance of librarianship in the life of society is clear to everyone and beyond question. Especially in the fields of education, science, and culture, and in matters of preserving the cultural and spiritual heritage of the country. Nevertheless, I shall take the liberty of stating, with regret, that the library finds itself, to a certain extent, if I may put it this way, ‘on the periphery’ of state and public attention.

I will not speak about the library community of Abkhazia as a whole, but specifically about the activities of the country’s principal library institution – the National Library of the Republic of Abkhazia named after I.G. Papaskir. However, I would not be mistaken in noting that many of the difficulties and problems we face are characteristic of most of our library institutions.

In my view, the main reason lies in a still uncorrected stereotype of thinking about library work as mere book lending and return. It is especially worrying that this perception prevails not only among so-called ‘ordinary citizens’, but also among some representatives of state structures, the academic and creative intelligentsia, the media, and many others. From this stem many of our problems, our ‘painful points’, the main ones of which I shall try to outline in this publication.

To speak frankly, perhaps a certain share of the blame lies with us, the librarians, for allowing such an attitude. Perhaps we have not done enough to inform society about our activities. Without false modesty, I will say: we do have plenty of achievements of which to be proud, and we have made significant progress in activating and improving our work. But for now, let us talk about the problems and difficulties…

Thirty years ago, when the National Library resumed its work, the Government of Abkhazia, taking into account the extremely difficult economic situation at the time and the condition of the library, decided to reduce the staff establishment by more than two-thirds of what previously existed. For that time, such actions were entirely justified.

However, as the activity of the National Library expanded, and as processes of adopting and implementing innovative library technologies developed – particularly after the completion of capital reconstruction and the equipping of the library building funded by the Russian Federation – the existing ‘truncated’ staffing arrangement no longer corresponds to the significantly increased volume of work and the tasks of modernising library services. This work requires appropriate specialists: systems administrators and others responsible for maintaining computer and technical equipment, as well as staff for maintaining the building, and specialists of other profiles.

For a number of years, when preparing the draft expenditure estimates, the Library’s management has appealed to the leadership of the country with a request to expand the staffing schedule, but, alas, without result. On the contrary, discussions periodically arise about so-called ‘optimisation’, that is, further reduction of staff positions. Naturally, we still hope that this question will be resolved in the coming year. For the time being, however, we must somehow ‘manage’.

Another long-standing, chronic problem is the acquisition of modern, in-demand publications. This concerns, above all, academic literature published in Russia, mostly for universities, as well as reference works, literary and artistic publications, and specialist editions. Funds allocated for such acquisitions are very small, and the number of books purchased is far below what is needed, resulting in numerous forced refusals due to the absence of requested books.

To some extent, we are helped in this matter by humanitarian shipments from colleagues in Russian library institutions, but the problem remains acute. For the same reasons, we are also unable to subscribe to Russian periodical publications, which are very much in demand by our readers.

I anticipate objections from some in our society along the lines of: ‘Why do we need printed editions when everything is online?’ I do not wish to enter into a long debate on this topic, but I will simply note: ‘If that is so, why is reader demand for books still so high?’

I believe the time has come for a fundamental solution: a significant increase in funding, including allocation of a substantial dedicated sum to eliminate the ‘book deficit’.

During the 1992–93 Georgian–Abkhaz war, the Abkhaz archives and National Library were deliberately burned by Georgian forces. Boris Cholaria in front of the burned books.

+ Interview with Boris Cholaria, Director of the National Library of the Republic of Abkhazia

+ Abkhazia's archive: fire of war, ashes of history 

+ ‏History on fire: how to restore the state-archive of Abkhazia

+ 22 October 1992: Burning of the National Archives and Library of Abkhazia by the Georgian invaders

Our time is an era of rapid technological development. Artificial intelligence is already ‘at the threshold’. And here it is important not to fall behind the main global trends in librarianship. We must accelerate the process of technical equipment upgrades, updating the computer fleet, and other technologies as part of adopting and implementing innovative forms and methods of library work.

Of course, this is costly work, and appropriate budgetary allocations are unlikely to be provided overnight. Therefore, in addressing this problem, we hope for the assistance of our Russian friends. We also hope that philanthropists and sponsors in our own country, who care about education and culture, may be found and willing to support the development and improvement of library activities in Abkhazia.

Continuing the conversation about modernisation plans and the participation of our Russian partners, I should note that a preliminary agreement has been reached with the Ministry of Culture of Russia to introduce in Abkhazia a new and successful form of library service already implemented in many regions of the Russian Federation – the ‘Model Library’. Briefly put, its essence lies in a harmonious combination of traditional library work with leisure activities.

We hope this project will soon be implemented on the basis of the National Library.

We should also mention our systematic cooperation with leading library institutions in Russia, including in training and professional development. Our staff have completed courses in book conservation and restoration, and we are now working to establish a dedicated department. Staff have also undertaken training in other areas of library work.

But let us return to our problems. The key ones have already been mentioned, but there are others which, at first glance, may seem less significant, yet are no less ‘painful’ and require urgent attention.

The National Library of Abkhazia fully resumed its activities in 2013, after the completion of capital reconstruction funded by the Russian Federation. This was an epoch-making event not only for the National Library, but for the entire library field in Abkhazia.

However, time passes, and the building already requires at least cosmetic repairs. Communications also need repair and restoration: heating, water, and electricity supply; climate control (air conditioning), video surveillance – everything relating to what is commonly called ‘technical infrastructure’.

It should also be noted that, for various reasons, when the library building was commissioned, it was not fully equipped with the necessary inventory and equipment. We would like this issue to be properly addressed in line with modern requirements.

Another unresolved issue is the lack of a service vehicle for the National Library. Meanwhile, we carry out numerous field activities, including providing methodological assistance to library institutions in the regions of Abkhazia.

It is also necessary to organise the timely payment of electricity, internet, and other utilities.

One could speak at great length about our problems and difficulties. At the same time, I would not want readers to form the impression that the main purpose of this article is to complain or ‘cry on someone’s shoulder’.

Believe me, it is not so. I simply wish our citizens to have an understanding not only of our achievements (and there are many), but also of some of our problems. And we, the staff of the National Library of the Republic of Abkhazia named after I.G. Papaskir, will, in any circumstances, continue to fulfil our mission – to awaken an interest in reading and in books, to support, with every effort, the development of education, science, and culture, and to serve the preservation of the cultural and spiritual heritage of the people of Abkhazia.

To the best of our abilities, we will continue along the path of progress, modernisation, and improvement of library work in Abkhazia.

Boris Cholaria
Director, State Institution ‘National Library of the Republic of Abkhazia named after I.G. Papaskir’
Honoured Worker of Culture of the Republic of Abkhazia