275 Libraries Closed Down Since 1990

275 LIBRARIES CLOSED DOWN SINCE 1990

Lragir.am
10 April 06

However, the existing libraries fail to operate normally. The Library
Week held by the Armenian Association of Libraries for five years
now helps to have a closer look at the problems of libraries. Visits
to the regions revealed that besides bad conditions of premises,
shortage of books and low salary many libraries do not open for days
because there are no readers. Davit Sargsyan, President of the AAL,
Director of the National Library, thinks the solution of the problem
is government care. There is no law on libraries, which would raise
the problems of libraries.

The deputy director of the National Library Rafik Ghazaryan suggests
that the government should allocate funds from the state budget to
solve the problems of libraries.

The purpose of the library week is to return readers to books, and
make the library a place of civilized communication. The initiators
are satisfied with this year’s Library Week. About 18 events were held
at Khenko Apor Children’s Library, 200 events were held in the regions.