Print Statistics Department

The Book Chamber has been maintaining print statistics since 1957. The Print Statistics Department provides key indicators necessary for the development of the publishing industry in the Republic.

In 1958, the first statistical collection covering the period from 1921 to 1957, entitled “Press of the Kazakh SSR – Printing of Kazakhstan,” was compiled by the Director of the Chamber, E. Nygmetov.

Since 1964, statistical materials have been published annually. In 1970–1972, they were included in the “Chronicle of Books of the Kazakh SSR.” Since 1975, they have been issued as an independent publication. Statistical accounting is carried out depending on the type of each publication.

Statistical collections contain quantitative and qualitative indicators characterizing publishing activities in the Republic, as well as data presented by thematic and specialized sections, by individual publications, and by ministries. The department carries out the description and classification of free legal deposit copies of printed materials received, including books, brochures, articles, fine arts publications, dissertation abstracts, cartographic materials, and electronic publications. All materials are processed systematically.

The department conducts statistical accounting and verification of all printed production. It also compiles and processes statistical tables by thematic and special-purpose sections, language, genre, individual publications, and publishing institutions.

The reliability of statistical data on book production depends on the completeness of legal deposit copies received by the Book Chamber. The completeness of submission is verified using the reporting form “Information on Book Production” (Form 1-I). Each quarter, statistical tables (quarterly, semi-annual, 9-month, and annual) are prepared and verified during processing.

Newly received newspapers, journals, bulletins, and collections are entered into the database, with full metadata recorded (title, founder, year of publication, place of publication, periodicity, and other details). They are classified by thematic and specialized sections. All periodical and continuing publications are included in statistical processing and verification.

The department provides written and oral reference services to ministries, research institutions, libraries, and individuals upon request.

At the end of each year, key quantitative and qualitative indicators characterizing publishing activity are issued, which are necessary for the development of the publishing sector in the Republic. The data are verified and processed, and the results of published materials are summarized and compared with the previous year’s output.