Within the framework of the OSI funded project «Assistance to development of the book market in Azerbaijan» «Book Club» Ltd. has carried poll among publishing houses, booksellers and readers of Baku city at the end of 2004 year. The purpose of poll was revealing tendencies and the problems existing in publishing and book-trade in Republic. Despite of poll results predictability, it was appeared some shocking moments. For example, the poll, which has been carried out among inhabitants of Sabail, Yasamal and Nizami districts of Baku, has shown, that only 10 % of the population read any books. To the question «read you any books during the last year?» the affirmative answer has been received from 10 % of respondents. It is interesting, that among answered on this question negatively there were students and teachers. Another attentive moment is that 15 % of readers prefer to read the religious literature.
Guards also such fact as quantitative overweight of the readers living in city centre - interest to the book in is much higher, than in Nizami district. In our opinion, it is consequence of proceeding functioning bookshops in this district.
It is known, that in suburbs of Baku city actually did not remain the specialized bookshops.
Results of poll have revealed an inaccuracy of some widespread stereotypes existing in book business. For example, true bibliophiles approved, that cost of the edition interests them in last turn, only 18 % of respondents put the question about cost on the first place. The poll among publishing houses, also brings to this idea. However, sellers are convinced, that there is a direct dependence between a low sales level and high cost of books and low consumer ability of the population. Anyway, the condition of the book market of Republic causes alarm.

Brief summary of another results of poll:

- In the majority of the book-selling enterprises there are no elementary conditions for acquaintance with the book. Titles are densely stamped and for readers it is the extremely difficult to choose the book.

- Approximately half of book-selling enterprises were open till 1997 year. Next two years (1998-99) appeared the extremely adverse for book trade. The minimum quantity of bookshops in the country was open during these years. In 2000-2001 years relative growth was, however in 2003-2003 this parameter has decreased on 40 %. Actually, dynamics of book-trade objects opening reflects a social and economic condition of the country in these years.

- Research shows that one-third of book-selling enterprises has on sale no more than 100 names of books.

- In book-trade sale of textbooks prevails. It speaks that most of books is sold in mobile trays (basically trays are engaged in realization of textbooks). Textbooks make over 40 % from total amount of the sold books. The given factor is a disturbing symptom and testifies about unsuccessful situation in book-trade. The population gets the most necessary books - textbooks.

- Researches show that each fifth book sold in Republic is imported from abroad.

- The problems exciting of book marketing experts, for example, author’s personal engagement in accommodation of his books in book-trade objects, also have found the reflection in the given research. The bookshops in the majority receive books directly from authors.

- Poll results testify that booksellers do not have superfluous means. Instead to buy the book for a wholesale price for cash where the certain discounts practise, they prefer to take books «on realization». It enables to return not sold books and as consequence, reduces stimulus for the rational organization of sales.

- In republic there are no specialized bookshops on branches (genres).

- Booksellers in the majority were at a loss to answer a question “name of the most sold book ”. It once again testifies that in the majority sellers do not distinguish the book, say, from stationery.

- One of determining factors of a low level of book-trade is the low level of book advertising.

- In opinion of book production manufacturers and sellers (taking into account low profitability of book-trade), book-trade should be exempted from taxes to sale, low-percentage credits should be given to it and tax privileges are given to publishing and printing houses.

- For the Azerbaijan book market the optimal circulation is 1000 copies. Some publishing houses issue books in circulation even at 30-50 copy. And for all so-called "circulation" receive 80-100 thousand manats. If only there was a work.

- The Azerbaijan publishing houses issue books for the author, instead of for sale.

- There is a big need for the specialized book distribution establishments.

- Publishing houses of the country almost do not issue book production on own means;

- The unsuccessful condition with book publishing is not connected with transition to latin letters (the next stereotype occuring in a society), but is a consequence of the inefficient organization, that is absence of normal book-trade system;

- In sphere of book publishing reigns non-professionalism. Third of publishing houses is no idea on possibility to correct an existing state of affairs. The majority of publishing houses workers at all do not suspect about existence of Azerbaijan Republic’s “Publishing Law”.

- Dream of publishing houses a cancellation of monopoly for paper import and abolition of the VAT to paper.

- In opinion of publishing houses, one of the best ways of crediting is the state order (for example, the project similar to the decree of the president about a transliteration), however tenders should cover not one-two publishing houses, but their maximal quantity.

- For more details of poll see Book Club’s web-site: www.kitabklubu.org.