Public Libraries Section

Country Report: Armenia

August, 2002

1. Armenian Public Libraries: According to the 2001 Armenia Census, the population of Armenia is 3,2 million residing in our 10 territorial unites - Marzes and the capital city of Yerevan. There are three basic levels of government in Armenia: state, marz (regional) and local. Public libraries mostly are under the jurisdiction of the regional level of government. There is no current national law for public libraries in Armenia. 13 major libraries; National Library, Republican Children's Library after Khnko Aper, Republican Music Library and 10 Marz provincial libraries are under the authority of the RA Ministry of Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports. There were 1128 central and branch public libraries in Armenia in 2001. After the administrative and territorial reform introduced in autumn 1996, all public libraries were handed-over to local authorities. Public libraries had to face numerous problems on their own: budget shortage, no collection development, unheated buildings, no interlibrary loans, etc. Library buildings are poorly maintained and inadequate for the special needs of books, media, computers, networks, and readers. Few of them were built to serve as libraries. According to statistics during the year 2001 more than 700 rural libraries have not acquired new titles.
2. All-Armenian National Library Week: This year, the Republic of Armenia celebrated the NLW, from April 14 to 20, under the aegis of the Armenian Library Association. The purpose of the weeklong celebration was to spread the word about the importance of libraries in a civil society. The Armenian Library Association coordinated and publicized all Armenian National Library Week (ANLW) activities, including a special Web page linked to the Association's home page (www.iatp.am/ala). ANLW promotional materials include posters and the publication of a special issue of the Association's annual, under its new title: Armenian Library.
   The official opening ceremony of ANLW took place at the National Library of Armenia on April 15. More than 230 librarians, information specialists, public and government officials participated in the event. More than 100 libraries and library systems in the Republic of Armenia participated in this unique event, with a variety of more than 200 different programs and other activities. ANLW outcomes include: the formation of library support "Friends" groups, library promotion through television broadcasts and media interviews, meetings with national and local governmental officials.
3. Library Automation: With the financial assistance of the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Armenian Branch the Armenian Library Consortia was established to carry out the ambitious project of "Armenian National Bibliography and Union Catalog". Eight major Armenian libraries and the National Book Chamber established a library consortia network. On November 27 the agreement was signed between the National Library of Armenia and the Ex Libris Ltd to acquire ALEPH 500 product license.
   Six regional public libraries were selected by "Eurasia" foundation to host public programs on creation of Information Resource Centers for local NGOs, facilitation discussions together with local TV companies, and establishment and development of public access documentation centers for local authority publications.
4. "The Role of Libraries in a Civil Society". The American Library Association organised a three-day workshop in Yerevan, Armenia, September 26-30, 2002, in cooperation with the Armenian Library Association. The workshop brought together 30 participants from the region as well as 8 U.S. participants. The regional participants include 2 librarians and 2 university officials from Yerevan State, Baku State, and Tbilisi State Universities. The remaining participants were library leaders and policy-makers in the region that can ensure collaboration and support for the efforts of the universities. This workshop was the first effort to expand participation beyond the library community to include key stakeholders, academic officials. It was a necessary step towards the regional cooperation among academic libraries and their universities. The goal of the workshop was to enhance the quality of higher education in the South Caucasus to foster civil society. Librarians and university officials understud the role of libraries in creating and sustaining civil society. The workshop encouraged resource sharing among Yerevan State, Baku State, and Tbilisi State as well as with other libraries in the region and around the world.