Taganrog Central Public Library
named after A. P. Chekhov

      On 23 May, 1876 the first public library was opened in Taganrog. We are especially proud of the events of the library history, connected with the name of the great writer A. P. Chekhov (1860-1904), who was born in Taganrog and at-tended the library from the date of its foundation. In 1904 the library was named after the great writer. On 17 of January, 1914 the ceremonial blessing of the library and the Chekhov Museum took place. The building, where the library is placed, was designed by Moscow architect the academician F. O. Shekhtel. It was done at Chekhov's request.
     During the Revolution and the Civil War the funds of the library were filled up by the books which have now the special value for the library. In the I960 in honour of the 100th anniversary of Chekhov's birthday the books from S. Mar-shak, K. Chukovsky, K Kataev, I. Erenburg were presented to the library. Since 1979 Central Town Public Library (CTPL) has been the main library in the Central-ised Library System and the methodic centre far all the town libraries. Today the Chekhov CTPL is one of the oldest libraries in the south of Russia with the unique fund of about 2 million copies. More than 25,000 people attend it annually.