This site mirrors the IFLA Library Map to maintain access, under CC-BY 4.0, due to poor site reliability. Additional fixes: removed intrusive tracking. Improved mobile device compatibility.

About Armenia

Armenia

Region: Europe

Area: 29,740 km²

Population: 3,033,500

Libraries (Service Points): 1,916

Libraries in Armenia

Last update: February 2020

Library system in Armenia is decentralised and in its development stage. Various types of libraries are present including:

  • Public libraries (national, provincial, community, children’s) – all groups of the society use these without limits or discrimination.
  • Scientific and professional libraries (republican (by area), professional) – these are mostly used by professional groups.
  • Educational libraries (university, school or other educational college (varjaran), educational complex) – mostly in use by students and teachers.
  • Private libraries – used by all groups of the society.

 

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia is responsible for development of policy and legislation concerning libraries.

Some of the development priorities in the library field in Armenia are:

  • Improvement of provision of services for the benefit of larger public.
  • Strengthening of the material and technical basis of libraries.
  • Supporting librarianship in Armenia.
  • Improving the situation with material, technical and financial conditions of the country’s libraries.
  • Creation of legislative framework for libraries.
  • Automatization of libraries and implementation of electronic services.

 

The only professional association representing interests of librarians is the Armenian Library Association (ALA), which contributes to the improvement of librarianship through developing partnerships with foreign libraries and librarian organisations, taking part in projects related to the principles, programmatic and normative documents on librarianship in Armenia as well as implementing initiatives aimed at raising authority and reputation of libraries. It is engaged in the professional development of librarians as well as improving policies and norms related to the library sector and the work of libraries and librarians.

Library data

Libraries (Service Points) 1,916
Main Libraries 113
Branch Libraries 486
External Service Points 0
Mobile Libraries 1
Libraries (Administrative Units) 1,818
Libraries with Internet Access 794
Full-Time Staff 5,476
Volunteers 2,419
Registered Users 580,382
Physical Visits 3.5 M
Physical Loans 9 M
eBook Loans 230,714
Audio Book Loans 889
Downloads 68,580

Contextual data

Population and Geography
3,033,500

Population

No Data Available

Population Growth

28.7%

Proportion of Population Younger than 15

20.4%

Proportion of Population Older than 64

105.1

Population Density
people per sq km

65.8%

Population Growth

Information and Infrastructure
100.0%

Access to Electricity

80.0%

Internet Users

79.3%

Female Internet Users

No Data Available

Male Internet Users

Poverty and Employment
22,823.2%

GDP per capita

1.9%

Poverty Rate
2011 PPP

27.2%

Inequality
2011 PPP

8.3%

Unemployment

20.2%

Inactive Youth
2011 PPP

Education and Literacy
2.4%

Education Spending
% of GDP

99.8%

Adult Literacy Rate
% of people age 15+

99.9%

Female Adult Literacy
% of GDP

99.9%

Male Adult Literacy
% of people age 15+

99.9%

Female Youth Literacy
% of GDP

99.9%

Male Youth Literacy
% of people age 15+

Innovation and Skills
0.2%

Research Spending
% of GDP

0

Researchers
% of GDP

655

Research Spending
% of GDP

Library data

Library type

Total

National

Academic

Public

Community

School

Other

Libraries (Service Points)

Library service point is a fixed or mobile facility through which library provides a service to its users. Central libraries, branch libraries, mobile libraries, and external service points located in different geographical locations and managed by one administrative unit are all each individual service points. Number of libraries is the total number of central/main libraries, branch libraries, external service points and mobile libraries.

1,916

1,916

2024

2

2024

49

2023

110

2023

437

2023

1,317

2024

1

2024
Main Libraries

Central/main library is usually part or those parts of an administrative unit where the main administrative functions and the important parts of the library collection and services are located. An administrative unit comprising several branch libraries does not necessarily include a central library.

113

113

2024

2

2020

21

2023

52

2023

37

2023

1

2024
Branch Libraries

Branch library is a part of a larger administrative unit providing, in separate quarters, a service for a particular user group (e.g. children, faculties) or for a locally defined clientele. Institute, departmental and other affiliated libraries are included. Mobile libraries and external service points are excluded.

486

486

2024

0

2020

28

2023

58

2023

400

2023

0

2024
External Service Points

External service point is a point away from library premises at which a certain service is regularly offered to users. This includes places within a locality at which library material is deposited for informal circulation to a restricted group of users but without other library services, for example, old people’s homes, community centres, collections for hospital patients. Mobile libraries and their stops are not counted as external service points.

0

0

2024

0

2020

0

2024
Mobile Libraries

Mobile library is a library, sometimes a division of a public library, using transport means to provide documents and services directly to users as an alternative to access on library premises.

1

1

2024

1

2020

0

2023

0

2024
Libraries (Administrative Units)

Administrative unit is any independent library, or group of libraries, under a single directorate or a single administration. The term “independent” does not imply legal or financial independence but only that the library is a recognisably separate unit, typically within a larger organisation. The administrative unit can be a single library or a larger organisation, typically containing a central/main library, branch libraries and administrative functions.

1,818

1,818

2024

2

2024

21

2024

40

2023

437

2023

1,317

2024

1

2024
Libraries with Internet Access

Libraries (Service Points) that provides internet access from at least one workstation available to the public regardless of whether access is free, and/or provides a wireless network allowing users to connect to the Internet.

794

794

2024

2

2024

91

2017

16

2016

684

2016

1

2024
Full-Time Staff

Full-time equivalent (FTE) staff are all library employees who work for the library in return for payment. It includes professional staff, qualified staff, project staff and assistants. Other staff (library employees who work in security and on domestic duties, for example, cleaners, porters, caretakers and catering staff) and volunteers are excluded.

5,476

5,476

2024

447

2023

268

2023

2,918

2019

423

2020

1,407

2024

13

2024
Volunteers

Volunteer is a person working on library tasks without payment. In counting volunteers, the concept of headcount is used.

2,419

2,419

2016

11

2016

668

2016

275

2016

182

2016

1,283

2016

0

2016
Registered Users

Registered user is a person or organisation registered with a library in order to use its collection and/or services within or away from the library. Users may be registered upon their request or automatically when enrolling in the institutions.

580,382

580,382

2024

45,658

2023

97,326

2023

159,035

2023

73,652

2023

196,399

2016

8,312

2024
Physical Visits

Physical visit is a person (individual) entering the library premises.

3.5 M

3,538,869

2024

484,907

2023

1,114,547

2023

1,202,527

2023

460,674

2023

233,439

2016

42,775

2024
Physical Loans

Physical loan is a direct lending or delivery transaction of an item in physical form. Physical loans include loans of items in non-electronic form (e.g. books) and loans electronic documents on a physical carrier (e.g. CD-ROM).

9 M

8,994,690

2024

1,851,156

2023

3,237,616

2023

2,063,855

2023

706,277

2023

1,052,909

2016

82,877

2024
eBook Loans

eBook is a non-serial digital document, licenced or not, where searchable text is prevalent, and similar to a print book (monograph). eBooks can be lent to users either on portable devices (eBook readers) or by transmitting the contents to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period.

230,714

230,714

2023

12,833

2016

215,181

2016

N/A

2023

170

2016

2,530

2016
Audio Book Loans

Audio book (or talking book) is a sound recording of readings of a book, magazine, or newspaper, usually designed for use by visually impaired people. Audio books can be lent to users either on a physical carrier or other device, or by transmitting the content to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period.

889

889

2024

25

2016

15

2024

N/A

2023

849

2016

0

2016
Downloads

Download is a content unit that is successfully requested from a library-provided online service or other internet service (e.g. database, electronic serial or digital document).

68,580

68,580

2024

786

2016

53,892

2024

N/A

2023

7,751

2016

6,151

2024

Population

Armenia

Region

World

Population

Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.

total

3,033,500

2024

928,263,208

2024

8,141,808,945

2024

Proportion of Population Younger than 15

Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.

percentage of working-age population

28.7%

2024

27.0%

2024

38.0%

2024

Proportion of Population Older than 64

Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.

precentage of working-age population

20.4%

2024

28.1%

2024

15.7%

2024

Population Growth

Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

annual percentage

2.3%

2024

0

2024

1.0%

2024

Population Density

Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.

people persq. km of land area

105.1%

2023

33.7%

2022

61.6%

2022

Urban Population

Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.

percentage of total population

65.8%

2024

74.0%

2024

57.6%

2024

Information Infrastructure

Armenia

Region

World

Internet Users

Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.

percentage of population

80.0%

2023

90.9%

2024

71.2%

2024

Female Internet Users

This indicator refers to female individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.

percentage of female population

79.3%

2022

90.0%

2024

68.2%

2024

Male Internet Users

This indicator refers to male individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc.

percentage of male population

-

90.0%

-

Access to Electricity

Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources.

percentage of population

100.0%

2023

100.0%

2023

91.6%

2023

Economy, Poverty, and Employment

Armenia

Region

World

GDP per Capita

This indicator provides values for gross domestic product (GDP) expressed in current international dollars, converted by purchasing power parities (PPPs). PPPs account for the different price levels across countries and thus PPP-based comparisons of economic output are more appropriate for comparing the output of economies and the average material well-being of their inhabitants than exchange-rate based comparisons. Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. This series has been linked to produce a consistent time series to counteract breaks in series over time due to changes in base years, source data and methodologies. Thus, it may not be comparable with other national accounts series in the database for historical years. The core indicator has been divided by the general population to achieve a per capita estimate. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. The PPP conversion factor is a currency conversion factor and a spatial price deflator. PPPs convert different currencies to a common currency and, in the process of conversion, equalize their purchasing power by eliminating the differences in price levels between countries, thereby allowing volume or output comparisons of GDP and its expenditure components.

current international $

22,823

2024

51,720.6

2024

24,405

2024

Poverty Rate

Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.00 a day at 2021 purchasing power adjusted prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

percentage of population

1.9%

2023

0.5%

2024

10.3%

2024

Inequality

Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality.

percentage

27.2%

2023

0.0%

-

Unemployment

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.

percentage of total labor force

8.3%

2023

5.3%

2024

6.2%

2021

Inactive Youth

The share of youth not in education, employment or training (also known as “the NEET rate”) conveys the number of young persons not in education, employment or training as a percentage of the total youth population. Youth not in education are those who were neither enrolled in school nor in a formal training program (e.g. vocational training). For the purposes of this indicator, youth is defined as all persons between the ages of 15 and 24 (inclusive).


percentage of youth population

20.2%

2023

11.7%

2024

-

Education and Literacy

Armenia

Region

World

Education Spending

General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of GDP. It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.


percentage of GDP

2.4%

2023

4.6%

2022

3.5%

2023

Adult Literacy Rate

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of people ages 15 and above

99.8%

2023

4.6%

2022

87.7%

2024

Female Adult Literacy

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of females ages 15 and above

99.9%

2023

98.5%

2024

84.6%

2024

Male Adult Literacy

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of males ages 15 and above

99.9%

2023

99.1%

2023

90.9%

2024

Female Youth Literacy

Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of females ages 15-24

99.9%

2023

99.8%

2023

92.0%

2024

Male Youth Literacy

Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.


percentage of males ages 15-24

99.9%

2023

99.8%

2023

94.1%

2024

Research and Innovation

Armenia

Region

World

Research Spending

Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.


percentage of GDP

0.2%

2023

2.0%

2022

2.7%

2022

Researchers

The number of researchers engaged in Research &Development (R&D), expressed as per million. Researchers are professionals who conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories, models techniques instrumentation, software of operational methods. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.


per million people

1,040

2023

3,466.1

2022

1,516

2018

Scientific Articles

Article counts refer to publications from a selection of conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals from Scopus in science and engineering fields, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics Taxonomy of Disciplines.


fractional count

655

2022

913,901.4

2022

3,338,192

2022

National Library Associations

Armenian Library Association /ALA/ / Հայկական գրադարանային ասոցիացիա /ՀԳԱ/

ALA’s goal is to contribute to the improvement of librarianship. It develops ties with foreign libraries and librarian organizations, takes part in projects regarding  the principles, programmatic and normative documents on librarianship in Republic of Armenia. It stimulates all initiatives, which aim at raising authority and reputation of libraries.  ALA’s main activities include professional development of librarians, formation and evaluation of norms involving the work of different types of library activities, organisations of events (e.g. National Library Week, Librarian Day, fairs etc.), raising awareness of libraries and librarianship, and organisation and delivery of professional, local and international library seminars and conferences. Current number of members is 200.

National Library of Armenia /NLA/ / Հայկական գրադարանային ասոցիացիա /ՀԳԱ/

The Armenian National Library is a methodic and informational all-republican academic research centre for library studies and bibliography. It is the biggest vault of Armenian printed products in the world.

Khnko Aper National Children’s Library / Խնկո Ապոր անվան ազգային մանկական գրադարան

By conducting library studies, cultural and educational activities, the National Children’s Library after Khnko Aper promotes reading among children an young adults. As a National vault for children’s books, it collects, preserves and provides an even more consummate collection of Amenian-written printed products to readers.

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia / ՀՀ կրթության, գիտության, մշակույթի և սպորտի նախարարություն

The Ministry supports the creation, preservation, defense, research use, promotion and service delivery of cultural heritage, development of culture, introduction of new values and ideas, creating conditions for reproduction and development of the society’s creative potential, for intercommunication to cultural values, for free and affordable service delivery, preservation of the national cultural values on the territory of other states in the scope of international norms. The Ministry carries out the oversight of  activities of the cultural sector (libraries, museums, theaters) of the Republic. The Department of Cultural Heritage and Folk Art controls the work of the library sector.

Armenian Government / ՀՀ կառավարության

Publishing of  Armenian and foreign languages literature oriented for different layer of the society, expansion of the information field, organization of exhibition fairs, participation to international events.
Since 2013 the Government provides a grant program “Material-technical base development program for public libraries”. The aim of the program is filling accredited community libraries with equipment, providing professional furniture and free internet, as well as replenishment with book collections.

Armenian Writers’ Union / Հայաստանի գրողների միություն

Publishing of  Armenian and foreign languages literature oriented for different layer of the society, expansion of the information field, organization of exhibition fairs, participation to international events. Non-governmental organization, which unites writers and it cooperates and supports large libraries. It does presentation of newly-published books and other events, books’ donations.

National Association of Publishers / Հրատարակիչների ազգային ասոցիացիա

Publishing of  Armenian and foreign languages literature oriented for different layer of the society, expansion of the information field, organization of exhibition fairs, participation to international events. Publishers’ association is a non-governmental organization, which unites publishing houses. It implements the expansion of information sphere, organization of book fairs, participation in international events, doing presentations and book donations to big libraries.

National Policy for Libraries

Law on the Foundations of the Cultural Legislation, Nov 20, 2002 / ՀՀ օրենքը մշակութային օրենսդրության հիմունքների մասին Ընդունված է 2002 թվականի նոյեմբերի 20-ին

The goals of the state cultural policy are: 1) acknowledgement of culture as means for development by the society, 2) search for new values and new ideas, 3) creation of conditions for reproduction and development of the society’s creative potential, 4) formation of the civil society  The law, among other branches, includes libraries, archives and publishing industries.

Law on Libraries and Librarianship / Հայաստանի Հանրապետության օրենքը գրադարանների և գրադարանային գործի մասին

The library law, issued in 2012, covers goals, supervision and management of libraries as well as management and responsibilities of local authorities, and funding.

Professional Qualification Requirements

Professional Qualification Requirements

The criteria for professional qualities of a library worker are confirmed by an order N 506-Ն by the Minister of Culture, August 5, 2013.
Requirements for a position of a head of department are:

  • Master degree of “Analyst of Documentary Information Resources” or “Manager of library-information work, bibliographer, specialist of documentary”  or academic degree and at least 1 year work experience of chief librarian or chief bibliographer, or
  • Master’s degree in higher education or academic degree and at least 3 year work experience of chief librarian or chief bibliographer.

Requirements for a position of a leading librarian are:

  • Bachelor’s degree with professions of “Library information and bibliography” or “Librarian-bibliographer, pedagogue” and at least 1 year work experience of a first-class librarian, or
  • Higher education and at least 3 year work experience of first-class librarian.

There is no information available.

Bulletin of Armenian Libraries / Բանբեր Հայաստանի գրադարանների

Scientific-methodic online journal for professionals of Library Studies, Bibliography and Automation systems. Published twice a year since 2015.

National Library Week

The National Library Week is organized and held by Armenian Library Association since 2002. This extensive annual event is held between 10th and 20th of April. The purpose is to once again underline the role importance of the books and libraries for the sake of societal development. At the same time it draws the attention of the state to solving the modern library problems. All libraries of the republic participate in the Library Week, by holding different events like celebrations, book presentations and discussions, meetings, literary and theatrical matinees, exhibitions, book donations etc – according to a specially conducted program.

Day of Libarians

Since 2004, upon decision by the Armenian government, the October 7 is officially celebrated as the Librarian’s Day. The purpose of the event is to underline the role of the book, the knowledge, the libraries and the librarians in the era of modern technologies. On this day different very different event take place: round tables, literary matinees, library issues discussions, meeting of the notorious representatives of the academic, cultural, literary occupation, as well as encouragement ceremonies of the best librarians.  Meanwhile, during the year seminars, professional trainings, academic conferences and lectures (2-4 times per year) for the librarians of the Republic are organized and implemented highlighting the role of the librarians in our society the whole year.

Library Location Resources

No information available

Contributors