Public Libraries Section

Country Report: Armenia

August, 2001

1. Internet Usage: Very few public libraries have Internet access and provide Internet use to their patrons. In this respect efforts are made by International foundations to support public library development in provincial areas. 6 central public libraries have been selected during "Eurasia" launched tender to implement the "Libraries as Community Centers" project. The average budget is $20.000. Within the project library Holdings will be developed and reinforce, Internet open web sites will be Established and NGO resource centers will be opened to carry out distance learning courses. Another public libraries Internet provider is the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) which maintains 6 Internet sites, 3 of them In the capital city of Yerevan, others in the towns of Gyumri, Vanadzor and Goris. More detailed information is available at: http://www.iatp.am/ www.iatp.am

2. National Library Day: On July 4 the National Library of Armenia for the second time celebrated its birthday. The measure included presentations, meetings, exhibition openings, concerts and other activities. Alla Papovyan was awarded with the National Library Award for the best achievements. National Assembly Delegates, the First Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport And Youth Affairs, readers, mass media representatives and guests were Invited to the Library.

3. Continuous Education: 90 librarians participated in seminar series organized by the Armenian Library Association. The seminar consists of 6 workshops on different topics such as Use of personal computers; Internet and electronic resources; International Library Standards; Library Ethics; Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery; etc. The Armenian Library Association initiated a special open forum to discuss library tasks and challenges. Among the topics that are currently on discussion are: Organizing Tasks of the National Library Week; Library Development Policy In Armenia; Professional and Continuing Education, etc. More detailed information is available at: http://iatp.r.am/libforum/.

4. Armenian Public Library Statistics: There are 1,185 public libraries in Armenia (Y2000). Public libraries are under the authority of municipal and local governments. There are 42 central public libraries of which 11 regional /Marz libraries are under the authority of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth Affairs and 31 are under local authorities. The total holdings makes up above 13 million library items. About 35% of the population are library users. Most public libraries in rural areas are managed by one non-professional librarian. The total number of library staff is 2,713 of which only 311 have library degrees and diplomas.

Nerses Hayrapetyan