While watching the TED Talk by Laura Cole I thought about the services she discussed in relation to the National Library of Kazakhstan.  The National Library of Kazakhstan is one of the oldest libraries in Kazakhstan dating back to 1910, when the first reading room was opened (National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2013).  Reflecting on Laura’s speech, I found four key points that could be improved to embrace a Library 2.0 ethos. They are accessibility, reduced space, everyday experience and the role of the library and librarian. 

Accessibility: 

The National Library of Kazakhstan provides access to a variety of local and international electronic databases, such as East View, SpringerLink, EBSCO and Elsevier. However, access to the electronic databases is open in the reading rooms of the library, thus, the patrons cannot use them remotely and have to visit the physical library to search for digital information. 

As Laura Cole suggested in her TED talk, it would benefit the users, if the library had an app allowing remote access. Especially, considering people with disabilities, for whom going to the library is a constraint.  

Reduced space: 

The library collection has more than 78 million units, while the library provides 14 specialised halls for 1500 seats (National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2013). Building on the point of accessibility, if the online databases could be accessed remotely and not in the library reading rooms, some space could be rearranged to allow more room for clubs. For now, there is a career choice centre, financial literacy club, Kazakh language club, marketing club, and the club of accountants. Having more space for clubs, it would be nice to organise a crafting club to reach more users with maker interests. 

Role of library and librarian: 

Hicks et al. (2020) argue that there was a shift in the role of the library from storing books and assisting in the search for information to building communities and maintaining networks. The National Library of Kazakhstan uses such social networks as Facebook and Instagram to advertise their events and share information about past events. The next step could be creating chat groups for users to communicate, or posting discussion questions to engage patrons in the discussion of current topics.  

Everyday experience:

Laura Cole (2016) stated that the library is not an isolated building any more, where we go from time to time. It becomes part of our everyday life providing online access to resources and connecting people in social networks. I think that the National Library of Kazakhstan has a very good chance to become a part of the patrons’ everyday experience if they continue developing their social networks and allow remote access to electronic databases.

References: 

Cole, L. (2016). BiblioTech as the re-imagined public library: Where will it find you? [Video file]. YouTube.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnYDl66YfQ0

National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2013). History of the library. https://www.nlrk.kz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=355&Itemid=205&lang=en 

National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2013). Reading halls. https://www.nlrk.kz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=906&Itemid=524&lang=en 

Hicks, D., Cavanagh, M.F., VanScoy, A. (2020). Social network analysis: A methodological approach for understanding public libraries and their communities. Library & Information Science Research, 42(3).