The last Mohican of the Soviet library science. (On the occasion of the 90-th Anniversary of Professor A. A. Khalafov)

Abstract

The founder of library science in Azerbaijan “The founder of library science in Azerbaijan”, Abuzar Aly oglu Khalafov was born on December 25, 1931, in the village of Jil, located on the territory of Goych in Western Azerbaijan. In 1938–1945 he studied at a seven-year general education school, in 1945–1946 he worked on the collective farm named after Ali Bairamov. From 1950–1955 he studied at the library department of the Faculty of Philology of the Azerbaijan State University. Over the years, he worked as a teacher, senior lecturer, associate professor at the Library Faculty. In 1961 he defended his candidate’s thesis on the topic “From the history of librarianship in Azerbaijan” (1920–1932)”, and in 1975 he defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic “From the history of librarianship in Azerbaijan” (1933–1958). In 1978 he became a professor. These works, being significant and relevant, reflected the dynamics of the development of librarianship in Azerbaijan. He scientifically substantiated the goals and objectives of library activities, and carefully studied its pressing problems, and proposed his own ways to solve them. Abuzar Khalafov was the first to be awarded the degree of Doctor of Historical Sciences in library science. The authors emphasize the role of the prominent scientist in the scientific, pedagogical and cultural life of Azerbaijan by providing numerous examples. Abuzar Khalafov devoted seventy years of his s life to the librarianship of his country.