To draw attention to books—one of humanity's most valuable treasures—and the culture of reading, the Presidential Library has prepared a book exhibition dedicated to August 9, National Book Lovers Day.

This significant day, observed worldwide each year, promotes the development of reading habits in society and highlights the invaluable role of books in human life. Historically, books have been a primary means of transmitting knowledge and intellectual thought across generations, playing a crucial role in shaping an environment of free thought and a broad worldview. The National Book Lovers Day brings together readers, writers, publishers, and librarians, helping preserve traditional reading values in the era of digital technologies.

The book exhibition features the history of the book, masterpieces of world and Azerbaijani literature, ancient and rare editions, scholarly works on the importance of reading, bibliographic sources, along with selected periodicals. Serving as a useful source of information for researchers, teachers, and students, as well as for a broad audience of readers interested in literature, this exhibition also makes a significant contribution to promoting reading culture among youth.

While systematically demonstrating the contributions of books to individuals' spiritual and intellectual development, the book exhibition also enables a deeper understanding of their unique place in our cultural history and their role in the nation's enlightenment.

Additionally, the library's rich overall heritage is noteworthy. The Presidential Library's Rare Books Collection houses "Historia di Parma" ("History of Parma"), a book first published in Italy in 1591, recognized as the oldest printed publication preserved within the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This foundational work, authored by the renowned Italian scholar, jurist, and historian Bonaventura Angeli, is considered the first historical chronicle of the city of Parma. The book, comprising eight parts, extensively details the city's formation, stages of historical development, and the Parma River, which played a significant role in the region's destiny. The work is valued as a precious historical document that has preserved the city's memory for centuries.