The municipal centralized library system of Ulan-Ude is a network of municipal libraries which include I.K. Kalashnikov Central City Library and nineteen of its branches city-wide, two of which are children’s libraries.


I.K. Kalashnikov Central City Library first opened in 1968, in a XVIII century mansion that used to belong to the local merchant Vtorov. In 1973 it coordinated the effort of uniting seventeen municipal libraries into a centralized library system. In 1996 the library was renamed after Isai Kalistratovich Kalashnikov, a famous Buryat writer. In 2005 the library system was joined by three more libraries.


The municipal library system offers its services to people of every age and social status. I.K. Kalashnikov central city library is a major information, educational and recreational center for local residents. Its users have access to modern IT technologies including the Internet and electronic databases, as well as traditional printed books and periodicals. The library boasts a collection of more than 68,000 volumes and annually serves more than 14,000 users.


The main goal of the library’s IDEA Center is to assist underserved population groups and provide them with free training in basic computer and Internet skills, thus increasing their employability and self-esteem and helping them become fully integrated members of the local community.