Translated with AI
The Shamsiddin Shokhin Public Regional Library in Khatlon Region officially reopened today after major renovations and reconstruction. The opening ceremony was attended by Khatlon Region Governor Davlatali Said and the heads of the region's cities and districts, according to the Region's Governor's Information Service.
The library's reconstruction was carried out as part of the 2025 Action Plan "Year of Reading Culture," with the support of regional executive authorities and the republican public organization "Juraat." The total project budget was 3.5 million somoni, and the work was completed in two phases.
Following the renovation, the library was transformed into a modern information center. The new automated services department features 20 computers with internet access, and approximately 200,000 e-books have been prepared. Librarians are now able to provide books to patrons via a digital system.
Khatlon Region Chairman Davlatali Said emphasized that the library's opening aims to revive the Tajik people's book culture traditions, engage young people in reading, develop literate and effective reading skills, enhance information culture, respect for the heritage of their ancestors, and instill patriotism in the younger generation. Furthermore, the library will serve as a venue for national competitions, including the "Dawn of Wisdom – Book" competition, book exhibitions, cultural and educational events, and interest clubs.
The library's unique feature is the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. In the second phase, patrons will be able to seamlessly access all the institution's digital capabilities. This project is the first in Tajikistan, and its success can be applied to libraries in other regions of the country.
The opening ceremony continued with a tour of the library's halls, new digital features, and a book exhibition. On the second floor, a presentation of the "E-Khonisch" program was held, which will optimize work with electronic resources and expand access to educational materials.
Davlatali Said noted that this service format is new for Tajikistan, and plans are underway to introduce modern technologies and equipment to improve service quality in other institutions using artificial intelligence.
