A Republican Hackathon for Librarians Was Held in Almaty

Today, the republican hackathon “KitapHack” was held at the Alatau Creative Hub in Almaty, bringing together library professionals from across Kazakhstan. The event was dedicated to reimagining librarianship in the digital age and promoting the effective use of artificial intelligence technologies.

During the hackathon, participants, working in teams, developed projects aimed at shaping a modern library model, expanding services through digital tools, and introducing innovative solutions into library operations.

Each team presented its project, followed by discussions and an exchange of ideas among participants. This collaborative environment generated numerous fresh concepts for enhancing library services and integrating digital technologies into the sector.

As part of the program, students from the T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts presented a theatrical performance that beautifully complemented the event and provided the audience with memorable emotions. The artistic presentation highlighted the cultural and creative potential of library spaces, adding a unique atmosphere to the occasion.

Special attention was given to presentations by young library leaders who had completed professional development programs abroad. They shared their experiences and discussed contemporary digital and practical approaches to the development of librarianship.

At the conclusion of the hackathon, teams were recognized in the following categories: “Best Agile Idea,” “Most Creative Idea,” “Best Technical Solution,” “Most Innovative Project,” “Project with the Greatest Social Impact,” and “Best AI-Based Solution.”

Zhainar Ardakkyzy, a librarian from the Atyrau City Library, highly praised the event, emphasizing its significance: “The event was organized at a very high level. We had the opportunity to meet colleagues from different regions, exchange ideas, and discuss the future development of the library sector. I hope that such meaningful and professionally valuable events will be held more often in the future,” she noted.

This hackathon, organized by the Almaty Libraries, served as a vivid demonstration of the library sector’s commitment to modernization, innovation, and strengthening its role in the cultural and educational life of the country.