Fundamental Scientific Library of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia NAS RA

History and Founding

The Fundamental Scientific Library (FSL) of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia was founded in 1935 as part of the Armenian Branch (Armfan) of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. In 1957 it became a Category 3 academic institution and was formally named the Fundamental Scientific Library. It moved to a new building at 24 Bagramyan Avenue, Yerevan, in 1959, and to its current location at 24/6 Bagramyan Avenue in January 1980. In 1986 the library was elevated to a Category 1 academic repository, and in 2002 it received formal status as a state non-commercial organisation of the NAS RA.

Collections and Holdings

The FSL holds approximately 3,026,776 library units across the natural sciences, technical sciences, and humanities, of which over 863,000 items are in foreign languages. The library maintains 28 special private collections assembled from donations by honoured scientists and cultural figures. Among its most significant holdings are rare Armenian books dating from the sixteenth century and a collection of Armenian periodicals going back to the nineteenth century. The FSL also coordinates a network of 30 academic libraries within the NAS RA system, collectively holding over 1.2 million publications.

Notable Materials Related to Journalism and Media

The FSL holds Armenian periodicals dating to the nineteenth century, constituting a significant record of Armenian journalism and print culture. The library has participated in digitisation projects—including grants from the British Library's Endangered Archives Programme (2008–2010)—to preserve rare books and periodicals through digitisation.

Access and Usage

The library serves over 17,000 registered users through subscription and five specialised reading halls. An online public access catalogue is available at opac.flib.sci.am. The FSL also hosts three open-access scientific journals. Researchers may access the library at 24d Marshal Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 0019.