On September 18, 2026, in support of the Decree of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev "On Measures to Develop the Culture of Reading and Form an Intellectual Nation," the Information and Educational Center, in cooperation with the Youth Center of the M. Auezov South Kazakhstan Research University, held the literary and intellectual forum "Building a Conscious Reader."
The forum was held under the "Reading University" direction of the republican project "A Reading Nation." The literary, intellectual, and creative event was attended by teams from major libraries in Shymkent, including the Al-Farabi City Scientific and Universal Library, the Shymkent City Centralized Mass Library System, and the A. Pushkin City Universal Library.
During the event, thematic exhibitions and book installations were organized.
Librarians, the faculty, and students of the Department of Journalism and the Kazakh Language of the Faculty of Philology discussed the book by Head of State Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev, A Fair Society — A Truthful Word, and shared their impressions and personal opinions about the books they had read.
To foster students' sustained interest in reading, to nurture individuals capable of consciously understanding, analyzing, and critically evaluating what they read, expressing their thoughts freely and argumentatively, and applying the acquired knowledge in their professional and life experiences, literary and intellectual creative games were organized among book-loving students and active youth from all higher education institutions in Shymkent. Fifteen selected books recommended for youth reading were analyzed. Winners were awarded diplomas, and participants received letters of appreciation.
Additionally, the "Aikap" and "Aqiqat" reader clubs of the M. Auezov SKRU read and discussed the recently published work of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, A Fair Society — A Truthful Word.
By developing a culture of reading, we pave the way for the comprehensive development of future generations, shaping citizens who respect national values and contribute to global civilization.
Forming a conscious reader is the shared responsibility of the education system, libraries, families, and society as a whole.
