Kutaisi Ilia Chavchavadze Public Library

Kutaisi Ilia Chavchavadze Public Library is one of the oldest libraries in Georgia. The library owns more than a million and a half library documents: books, periodicals, CD-DVD collections. Both Georgian and foreign language literature is preserved in the fund. The wealth of the library is unique and rare editions, which is a national treasure.

Kutaisi Ilia Chavchavadze Public Library was founded in 1873 by a famous public figure, Anton Lortkipanidze.

In 1930 the library was renamed Kutaisi State Public Library. The building in which the library is located today was handed over to him in 1934.  In 1957, the Kutaisi State Public Library was named after the great Georgian writer and public figure, Ilia Chavchavadze.

In 1974, on the basis of the public library in Kutaisi, the city libraries were centralized. To date, all city and children's libraries are structurally subordinated to the Kutaisi Public Library. Certain measures were taken at different times in terms of improving the structure. There are currently 17 sections in the library. The library serves all categories of readers. Scientific work is the main priority of the library. Therefore, a scientific council was established in the library, which unites not only the staff of the library but also the representatives of the scientific intelligentsia of the city. The main function of the Board is to determine the main directions of the library's scientific work.

Today, Kutaisi Ilia Chavchavadze Public Library, which is subordinated to the city self-government, operates in Kutaisi with 12 branches: 10 cities and 2 children. Kutaisi Public Library is a regional-methodical coordination center. The library serves all categories of readers. Scientific work is the main priority of the library. Therefore, a scientific council was established in the library, which unites not only the staff of the library but also the representatives of the scientific intelligentsia of the city. The main function of the Board is to determine the main directions of the library's scientific work.

Despite the antiquity of the foundations and the library itself, today it is impossible to talk about a modern library without electronic resources. That is why the library is constantly trying to use all means to develop electronic resources. To do this, it not only acquires electronic databases but also creates its own.

The library is rightly proud of its unique and rare editions. Notable among them are Incunabula, published in 1498 for Domitius Calderon "A couple of commentaries on Martialis"; Dionysus Lambinius "Horace" (1595); "Law of Batonishvili Vakhtang"(1828), and many others.

The Library is a member of the Georgian Library Association and the Consortium of Georgian Libraries.