Libraries of Osh
Before the revolution, there was one private library in the city of Osh, which had 100 books. During the Soviet period, the network of libraries grew rapidly. The Toktogul Regional Library was opened in 1949 based on the city library. Serving about 20,000 residents, the library had a collection of 1,244,000 items as of January 1, 1997 (including 935,204 patents — descriptions of inventions). The library has 9 departments — book collection, book processing, storage, methodological, youth, arts, service, agricultural and technical literature, reference and bibliographic; 5 sectors — reader registration, local studies, foreign literature, city subscription, and periodicals. In addition to serving readers, the library conducts mass events — meetings with writers, composers, notable people of the city, law enforcement agencies, teachers, doctors; thematic and literary evenings, reader conferences, and organizes book exhibitions on relevant topics, etc. There are 40 library staff members, of whom 32 have higher education and 4 have specialized secondary education.
The national composition includes 20 Kyrgyz, 8 Russians, 4 Uzbeks, and others. For 35 years, the regional library has been led by Z. Ismailova. What has been created in the library is associated with her name. She has been awarded government orders and certificates, and she is a highly respected person among colleagues and readers.
The Regional Children's Library was established in 1967. Initially, the library had 3,000 book copies; by 1986, the book collection amounted to 20,900 copies in Kyrgyz, Uzbek, English, and Russian languages.
The library serves more than 6,000 readers.
The Scientific Medical Library was organized in 1973, and its book collection consists of about 55,000 copies. The library has 2 reading rooms with 60 seats and serves 2,500 readers.
The Osh Central City Library was established in 1976. Uniting 10 city libraries as branches, it provides methodological assistance to 13 trade union, 7 departmental, and school libraries in the city. The book collection consists of 292,600 copies in Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Russian, and foreign languages. This library is used by 31,300 readers.
Post office and telephone communication in Osh
