The scientific-methodological journal “Bulletin of Armenian Libraries” has been published by the National Library of Armenia since 2015 (2015–2019, 2021–present). The journal is intended for professionals and researchers in the fields of library science, bibliography, museology, archival studies, publishing and other related disciplines. “Bulletin of Armenian Libraries” is a fully open access journal. All articles are made freely available to readers immediately upon publication, without subscription fees or registration barriers.
NATIONAL LIBRARIES: A NEW PHASE IN ARMENIAN–FRENCH RELATIONS
The article provides an analysis of the multifaceted cooperation established between the National Libraries of Armenia and France, which is considered a key component of cultural diplomacy between the two countries. The study examines the history and current state of the Armenian collections of the National Library of France, the exceptionally rich collection of early French literature preserved at the National Library of Armenia, and the main directions of contemporary cooperation between the two institutions, including digitisation, exchange of expertise, joint exhibitions, and scholarly projects. The article pays particular attention to new prospects in the field of cultural heritage preservation and to the further strengthening of institutional ties.
Copyright (c) 2026 ANNA CHULYAN (Author)
Isaak Makvetzi was a prominent yet relatively understudied figure in the ecclesiastical and cultural history of the Armenian Church during the second half of the 17th century. Substantial information regarding his activities is preserved in the manuscripts of St. Thaddeus Monastery in Artaz, as well as in his correspondence addressed to the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith in Rome, the administration of the Urban College, and Armenian merchants across Europe. These letters, housed in the Vatican Apostolic Archive and manuscript no. 1458 of the Venice Matenadaran, illuminate Makvetzi’s multifaceted role as a spiritual leader, patron of educational initiatives, and diplomatic mediator. He is portrayed as an ecumenical thinker who remained faithful to the doctrines and liturgical practices of the Armenian Apostolic Church while fostering spiritual dialogue with the Holy See, without undergoing confessional conversion. His disciple, Philippus Makvetzi, who studied at the Urban College, became a symbolic figure of this collaboration. The letters addressed to Armenian merchants reflect Makvetzi’s organizational and missionary vision, wherein church restoration is conceptualized not merely as architectural renewal but as a means of revitalizing faith, reinforcing communal identity, and preserving national memory. The supplicatory letter sent to Makvetzi by Pope Innocent XI attests to his international recognition and authority. Nevertheless, despite being considered a potential successor to the Catholicos of All Armenians, his election was obstructed by internal ecclesiastical divisions and political complexities.
Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith
Copyright (c) 2026 TAMARA MINASYAN (Author)
DEDICATION AND LEGACY: HAYK DANGHYAN AND AKSEL BAKUNTS
This study examines the role of Hayk Danghyan in the formation and preservation of the Aksel Bakunts House-Museum, offering a scholarly interpretation of his exceptional dedication. The aim of the article is to demonstrate how the steadfast commitment of an individual becomes a driving force in safeguarding cultural heritage, and how Danghyan’s literary and documentary donations have become integral elements of the museum—the living “memory” of the writer. Drawing on archival documents, Danghyan’s handwritten materials, museum correspondence, and rare editions, the article reconstructs the history of how these works were preserved during the repressive 1930s–40s, and highlights their significance for the study of Bakunts’s biography, literary activity, and for the development of museum studies.
Copyright (c) 2026 TEHMINA MARUTYAN (Author)
THE REGIONAL LIBRARY OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH AS AN EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND PUBLIC MEMORY INSTITUTION
The article is devoted to the analysis of the formation, historical development, and cultural role of the M. Gorky Regional Library of Nagorno-Karabakh as an educational, social, and culturalscientific institution. It is noted that during the 1920s-1980s, the library functioned as one of the key centers of cultural life in Artsakh, where the processes of reading, knowledge dissemination, bibliographic activity, and the preservation of national identity were closely intertwined. The study examines the library’s main directions of activity as a bearer of public memory and a hub of cultural communication, emphasizing its contribution to the formation of the educational environment, the dissemination of scientific thought, and the maintenance of national self-awareness. The model of preserving and transmitting the local cultural-scientific heritage established by the library may serve as an example for the future, particularly in the context of the collective return of the people of Artsakh and the realization of their right to self-determination.
Copyright (c) 2026 MHER HARUTYUNYAN (Author)
FRENCH MOTIFS IN YEREVAN ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPER «ЭРИВАНСКИЕ ОБЪЯВЛЕНИЯ» (“YEREVAN ANNOUNCEMENTS”) (1883-1917)
The “Yerevan Announcements” newspaper, published since 1883, played an important role in the history of Yerevan's periodical press. Its publisher and editor was actor, public figure, and playwright Emin Ter-Grigoryan. The newspaper was published with some interruptions until 1917, initially only in Russian, and from 1909 it became consistently bilingual, in Armenian and Russian. As it turns out, the newspaper contains interesting information related to France and the French language. This refers in particular to the names of hotels, cinemas, and shopping malls in French or named after French cities, which allows us to conclude that French motifs were widely expressed in the everyday life of Yerevan residents. It should be noted that from this perspective, there has never been any reference to the “Yerevan Announcements” newspaper.
Copyright (c) 2026 MARINA KHACHMANUKYAN (Author)
THE MUSEUM OF THE BOOK AS A MEANS OF EDUCATION AND UPBRINGING
This article examines the role of book museums as an important institution for the preservation of cultural and spiritual heritage. The historical background of the emergence of book museums, their functions and spheres of activity are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the book museums of Armenia, in particular, the Matenadaran, as an outstanding center of manuscript and book heritage. It is shown that book museums not only preserve material written monuments, but also fulfill an educational, educational and scientific mission, adapting to modern technological and cultural challenges.
Copyright (c) 2026 ALVARD GRIGORYAN (Author)
Due to the historical and political upheavals at the beginning of the 20th century—the 1915 Armenian Genocide, continuous wars, the Russian Revolution of 1917, and the fall of the First Republic of Armenia—the Armenian people were forced to leave their historical homeland and seek refuge in various countries. Some creative individuals began writing in the official languages of their new host countries. This is how Armenian writers in English, French, Russian, Spanish, Romanian, Bulgarian, Arabic, and Turkish emerged. For this reason, literary studies use the term “Armenian writers in foreign languages,” rather than “foreign-language Armenian literature,” since the phenomenon refers to authorship, not to the formation of a separate literary tradition.
Copyright (c) 2026 DAVID GASPARYAN (Author)
AUTOMATED QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND RESTORATION OF SCANNED ARMENIAN NEWSPAPERS
This research demonstrates the applicability and effectiveness of a lightweight and modular artificial intelligence (AI) workflow for the automatic preprocessing of historical Armenian newspapers.
Copyright (c) 2026 ALVARD GRIGORYAN, AREN YEGHIAZARYAN, DAVIT ISPIRYAN, DAVIT MELIKSETYAN, DAVIT NAVASARDYAN, DAVIT NAZLUXANYAN, HAKOB SHAHNAZARYAN, LEVON ANANIKYAN, MARI ASLANYAN, MARIA KATVALYAN, MILENA ARSHAKYAN, SONA KHOSROVYAN, SUREN SAGHATELYAN, VAHE KARAPETYAN, VALERI SEVYAN (Author)
MKHITAR GOSH՚S GIRQ DATASTANI IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL SEMANTICS
The article considers Mkhitar Gosh's "Girq Datastani" as a legal corpus and a culture-forming system, presenting medieval Armenian legal thought from the perspective of digital semantics.
Copyright (c) 2026 GAYANE HOVHANNISYAN (Author)
THE HUMANITY OF THE ARCHIVE: REFLECTIONS OF A YOUNG ARMENIAN-AMERICAN
The article explores how the author’s perception of history and identity is shaped through practical work with the periodicals of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). In the course of everyday archival activities, even the most ordinary materials reveal the human nature of their creators, along with their shortcomings and aesthetic perceptions.
Copyright (c) 2026 ՄԱՅԼՍ ՄԱՄԻԿՈՆՅԱՆ (Հեղինակ)
THE FIRST ARMENIAN PRINTED BIBLE OF VOSKANYEREVANTS‘I AT NAASR’S MARDIGIAN LIBRARY
In September 2024, the Martikian Library of NAASR acquired the second volume of the first printed Armenian Bible, published in Amsterdam in 1668 by Voskan Yerevants՛i. This magnificent volume, distinguished by its refined aesthetic qualities, is not only a religious book but also an exceptional cultural treasure.
Copyright (c) 2026 ANI BABAIAN , MARC MAMIGONIAN (Author)
THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN CURRENT BIBLIOGRAPHY
The article details the National Library of Armenia's bibliographic lists, including “Armenian Printed Publications,” “Periodicals and Serials,” “Index of the Armenian Diaspora,” and others. It also discusses the development of modern printed bibliography in the Republic of Armenia and the background of the legal deposit system for publications across the globe. The article honors the 100th anniversary of “Armenian Printed Publications,” a serial publication.
Copyright (c) 2026 NERSES HAYRAPETYAN (Author)
THE HISTORY OF CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC EXCHANGES BETWEEN ARMENIA AND FRANCE
The history of Armenian-French relations has been marked by a long tradition of cooperation, mutual interest, and cultural exchange, reinforced by religious, diplomatic, and commercial relations. The text of the article is in French.
Copyright (c) 2026 VARDUSH HARUTYUNYAN (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The history and description of the "Hakob Meghapart" commemorative medal of the National Library of Armenia is presented.
Copyright (c) 2026 HOVSEP PAPIKYAN (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE LITERARY LEGACY OF CHARLES-TIRAN TEKEYAN AND THE ARMENIANS’ RESCUE MISSION DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR: A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CONCEPT
The purpose of the article is to show the Armenian-French cultural, historical and political ties during the First World War of 1915. In particular, for the assistance provided by the French navy during the Armenian self-defense battles and for the great humanitarian attitude. All this found its place in the form of facts in the memoirs of Sh. T. Tekeyan, a marine of Armenian origin, who was directly involved in the rescue of Armenians. The memoirs were published in Paris in 1919 and, after many years of oblivion, translated from French into Armenian. Other publications about that period and events were also included in the article.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bulletin of Armenian Libraries
LIBRARY DIPLOMACY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
Diplomacy of library culture, as a direction of the state's foreign policy, implies the exchange of book idea, information, value system, documents, and other elements between different countries and people in order to strengthen the library matter. The term “diplomacy” relates to the ancient Greek word “diploma”, which means “a double-folded document containing official agreements, decisions”. In addition to political diplomacy, there is also second-track diplomacy, i.e. non-governmental, unofficial connections and activities between private citizens or groups of individuals. It is also important the modern international digital diplomacy and its implementation through global social networks. Unlike traditional diplomacy, digital diplomacy works differently by facilitating access to knowledge, bridging exchanges between scientific research and policy. In the article, an attempt was made to define the place of international activity of libraries in the system of international relations of culture. In addition, to develop the work of libraries with foreign libraries and librarian associations, specialized cultural, informational, educational, scientific organizations and institutions.
STUDY OF THE STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOURSE IN LINGUISTIC WORKS
The aim of the study is to analyze the structure of scientific discourse, attempting to reveal the vocabulary used in linguistic works, the ratio of parts of speech, sentence types, and their functions. This study seeks to uncover the characteristic features of scientific style and their role in the effectiveness of scientific communication. This study is based on the theoretical works of V. Hambardzumyan’s “Principles of Linguistics”, Ed. Mkrtchyan and L. Khachatryan’s “Course on the History of the Armenian Language”, and G. Jahukyan’s “Conversations about the Armenian Language”, which serve as the theoretical foundation and basis for conducting linguistic analyses. An important aspect of this study is that the analysis of the structure of scientific discourse holds significant value in contemporary linguistics, as it contributes to improving the clarity and comprehensibility of scientific communication.
MEDIA ARCHIVE: A NEW STEP TOWARDS PRESERVING NATIONAL DIGITAL HERITAGE
The National Library of Armenia (NLA) has launched Media Archive, a pioneering digital platform designed to collect and preserve online media content as part of Armenia’s national heritage. Developed by a young professional of Université Française en Arménie (UFAR), the system automates the collection of content from Armenian news websites, capturing articles, blogs, and other born-digital materials that are at risk of disappearing. The platform addresses a critical gap in Armenia’s legal deposit system, which currently applies mostly to printed materials. Using web scraping technologies, data is collected, cleaned, and archived with metadata, ensuring long-term access and legal authenticity. A user-friendly interface enables librarians to manage and search the archive effectively. Future enhancements include OCR integration for digitized historical materials and catalog system integration. Media Archive establishes the technological foundation for an electronic legal deposit system and reflects NLA’s commitment to safeguarding Armenia’s digital cultural memory for future generations and supporting scientific research and cultural preservation.
IMPROVING WEBSITE ARCHIVING PROCESSES FOR THE LONG-TERM PRESERVATION OF DIGITAL CULTURAL HERITAGE
The web archiving process is of great importance because it enables individuals and organizations to have long-term access to information and to utilize it. The most important challenges of web archiving technology relate to regulatory and organizational issues, as well as aspects of ensuring authenticity and integrity, documentation, and quality control.
THE ROLE OF PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY IN LIBRARY PRESERVATION: BEST STORAGE PRACTICES AT THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF HUNGARY
Since the foundation of the National Széchényi Library (NSZL), it has served as a repository of knowledge and a custodian of Hungarian cultural heritage, making paper-based and electronic library documents publicly accessible. Therefore, it is library's duty to preserve its collection in the best way possible for future generations. The library has adopted a new sustainable practice to protect cultural heritage objects housed in the national library. In this paper the author will discuss their approach to preserving analogue documents.
CHRISTOFFEL VAN SICHEM’S ENGRAVER’S WORKS IN ARMENIAN ART
In the 16th centuries in the Armenian cultural life, an extremely important event took place, the start of Armenian printing. After the Gutenberg invention, a rapidly developing printingbusiness in Europe drew the Armenian cultural figures’ attention. Until 18th century the Armenian printed books were used by the works of European engraving masters, especially the German motifs by Christoffel van Sichem.
ON THE EVIDENCE OF EXCAVATIONS CONDUCTED IN ARTSAKH-KARABAKH FOUND IN THE “REPORTS OF THE IMPERIAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMMISSION”
The article examines the evidence about Artsakh-Karabakh presented in the bulletins “Reports of the Imperial Archaeological Commission” (“report of the Imperial Archaeological Commission”), one of the many valuable sources stored in the National Library of Armenia. These newsletters were published between 1862 and 1918 once a year, summarizing events from 1859 to 1913-15. the data of the conducted archaeological excavations. 45 volumes of books have been published.
Significant progress was recorded in the establishment of the Eastern Armenian school in the years 1820-1860. The Nersisyan Spiritual School made an irreplaceable contribution to that work. This study is dedicated to the history of the creation and implementation of the charter of the Nersisyan Spiritual School. Nerses Ashtarakets‘I, thought of having such a statute that would always serve to meet the demands of the teaching staff and students. Although a charter he wrote at the time would best serve that purpose. The charter of the school was revised many times in the 1860s and was only approved in 1864.
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ARMENIA AS A GUARDIAN OF THE HISTORICAL MEMORY OF THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR
The contribution of Armenia and the Armenian people to the Victory over Germany was significant. The patriotism and devotion of the people were demonstrated not only at the front, in heavy fighting, in the trenches, on the ground and in the air, but also in the rear. A strong and reliable rear largely ensured success at the front. The article presents some episodes of the activities of the A. Myasnikyan State Public Library (now the National Library of Armenia) during the war years. The library management focused not only on mass events, but also on operational work on the current acquisition of library collections. Thanks to the replenishment and preservation of library collections, valuable documents (books, photographs, posters, newspapers) became objects of research. A brief history of the formation of national military units based on library and archival documents stored in the NLA collections is also presented.
THE LIBRARY REPOSITORIES OF THE “KACHAR” SCIENTIFIC CENTER ON THE DEFENSE ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH: DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
This study examines the preservation, dissemination, and research challenges associated with scientific and informational materials about the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh. Given the consequences of Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression and the hybrid warfare against Armenian statehood, safeguarding Artsakh-related archival materials is a strategic priority. The research explores international best practices in library management, digitization strategies, and information security. The study underscores the importance of mobilizing scientific and cultural resources, integrating library and archival institutions, and strengthening collaborations with global academic communities to ensure the accessibility and protection of Artsakh’s intellectual heritage.
MODERN REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE LIBRARY FIELD
Professional development requires continuous effort. The combination of technical and soft skills, ongoing education, personalized approaches, global thinking, and the use of digital resources are all key areas essential for a modern librarian's success. Professional development in the library field demands the enhancement of diverse and ongoing skills, including digital librarianship, community engagement, and innovation. Librarians must be prepared for change and constantly update their skills to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of their library. The library sector is undergoing a transformation driven by technological advancements and the evolving demands of society. Today, librarians face new challenges, and their professional development must meet contemporary needs. However, this does not mean the librarian's role is diminishing or becoming secondary. It means that every profession, including librarianship, requires the continuous development of professional skills and the improvement of analytical and managerial capabilities. Implementing cost-effective marketing strategies in the library sector is crucial, as these can help optimize the library's operations, making it more competitive and sustainable.
NEW ELECTRONIC DICTIONARY (ARMENIAN – RUSSIAN – ENGLISH)։ NEEDS AND CHALLENGES
It is known that the creation of dictionaries requires years of diligent and consistent work, which in turn creates grounds for the creation of new words, new meaning usage of existing words that cannot be included in the given dictionary. Sometimes it is not possible to find foreign versions of a new Armenian word in any paper or online dictionary, because the words included in them are taken from dictionaries downloaded on the Internet, but published earlier. Because of this, in modern times, writing a dictionary only on paper, in the traditional version, may be out of date even at the time of printing. In the article, an attempt was made to show that the effective option is the creation of a new online dictionary, which will be regularly updated by the compilers.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ARMENIAN TRANSLATED LITERATURE։ METHODOLOGICAL ASPECT
The article focuses on foreign-language translated books published in Armenia in 1920-2020. The latter were combined and published as a three-volume bibliographic collection: volume A (1920-1970), volume B (1971-2010), volume C (2011-2020). The bibliographic collection was compiled mainly on basis of the book collection of the National Book Chamber of Armenia. After the merger the Book Chamber with the National Library of Armenia in 2017 the collection of library and other sources were used as well. In accordance with the standards, the bibliographic description compilation has been observed, and appropriate abbreviations and acronyms have been used and organized by UDC.
THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ARMENIAN PERIODICALS IN GREECE
We touched upon the Armenian-Greek relations, the Armenian community, and the Armenian press in Greece. Due to historical and political circumstances, Armenians also settled in Greece. They created their own community structures, published the Armenian press and so on. The Armenian press of Greece touches on various issues: community life, Homeland-Diaspora relations, highlights the problems of the Armenian community of Greece, etc. The Armenian press in Greece plays a major role in preserving the Armenian identity within the Greek-Armenian community, especially among the younger generation, and contributes to the preservation of the Armenian language, traditions and customs. Among the databases on the website of the National Library of Armenia, the Armenian Press database is also important, where the main bibliographic data of periodicals with serial numbers are entered. Digital copies of periodicals are posted under the “read online” link.
THE CHALLENGES OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ARMENIA
The aim of the publication is to highlight the impact of information technology, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and the achievements in many other fields on libraries in general and, in particular, on the activities of the National Library of Armenia in the face of contemporary challenges. Prioritising the preservation of printed heritage, the library embarked on the mission of digitising its collections and making them accessible to users through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems. To achieve the aim, the following objectives have been set: presenting the process of digital transformation of the library, discussing priorities for the digitisation of the national printed heritage, providing access to digital versions in the repositories, outlining the recognition process.