The Central Scientific Library is the leading structural subdivision of Gylym Ordasy. Its collection contains more than 5.8 million units of unique scientific literature, making it the only national scientific center in Kazakhstan with a complete and unparalleled repository of global and domestic scientific works. The library plays an essential role as a corporate scientific and information center providing high-quality academic information to research institutions.

The library houses a valuable collection of rare editions and documents, forming an integral part of Kazakhstan’s historical, cultural, and scientific heritage. These include rare Eastern and European publications from the 12th century to the first half of the 20th century; Kazakh literature of the 19th–20th centuries; manuscripts and folklore materials; unique samples of national literature; artistically and typographically outstanding books; as well as materials with author autographs and photographic documents. The collection of rare books and national literature comprises about 150,000 storage units.

The library holds intellectual property certificates for the bibliographic series “Kazakhstan and the World Community,” “Biobibliography of Kazakhstani Scientists,” “Great Personalities,” and “Outstanding Figures of Librarianship.” These series form valuable informational and bibliographic resources for the scientific community.

Since 1951, the Central Scientific Library has carried out regular international book exchange with 325 scientific institutions in 52 countries, contributing significantly to Kazakhstan’s international cooperation in science, education, and culture, and supporting the country’s integration into the global scientific space.

The Scientific Archive is a center that plays an important role in preserving and studying the history of science in our country. The archive contains historical documents from different periods, personal files of prominent figures in science and culture, as well as materials reflecting the scientific and organizational activities of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan and its research institutions. The chronology of these documents covers the period starting from 1927, as well as materials from 1932 to 1946, providing valuable insights into the formation and development of national science.

The archival collection consists of 123,790 unique documents organized into 146 archival collections, including 55 personal collections, 91 institutional collections, and 1 photographic collection.

The preservation of rare documents held in a single copy and lacking duplicates is a matter of national importance. The materials housed in the archive represent invaluable evidence of the emergence and development of science in Kazakhstan and constitute an integral part of the country’s national scientific heritage.

One of the key activities of Gylym Ordasy is the development of museum studies and the preservation, research, and popularization of the country’s historical and cultural heritage.

The museums of Gylym Ordasy hold a special place in Kazakhstan’s museum system. The unique exhibits and artifacts preserved in their collections are authentic items unmatched in other museums of the country. They reflect the rich scientific and cultural heritage of the Kazakh people, values inherited from ancient times, and historically significant artifacts of scholarly importance.

Within Gylym Ordasy operates the Restoration and Conservation Center for rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials. It is the largest and best-equipped center in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, carrying out a full cycle of restoration and conservation work.

Each zone is equipped for high-quality restoration and conservation and contains 64 types of modern equipment imported from Germany, Italy, Russia, China, and Japan.

The primary mission of the Center is the restoration and preservation of fragile, ancient, and damaged manuscripts, rare books, and archival materials.

Its work ensures high-quality restoration of rare documents and supports the accelerated digitization of the collections of the Central Scientific Library and the Scientific Archive, thus providing broad public access to unique materials.

Since September 2014, as part of the integration of science and education and to train highly qualified scientific and pedagogical personnel through state educational grants, Gylym Ordasy established a Center for Training Scientific Personnel offering Master’s and PhD programs. The Center operates in cooperation with research institutes of the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

Between 2014 and 2025, 342 PhD graduates and 432 Master’s graduates completed their programs. Currently, 143 PhD students and 7 Master’s students are enrolled.

Most alumni continue their professional careers in research institutes and at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.