National Library of Armenia (NLA) Հայաuտanի Ազmaйnal Gradaran

Overview

The National Library of Armenia (NLA; Armenian: Հայաuտanի Ազmaйnal Gradaran) is the largest library in Armenia and the world's largest repository of Armenian printed heritage. Located in the Kentron district of Yerevan, it serves as the center of the national bibliography and as a scientific, cultural, and information institution dedicated to collecting, processing, preserving, and disseminating Armenian cultural heritage.

History and Founding

The library's history begins in 1832, when a library was established as part of the state gymnasium-school of Yerevan. On July 4, 1919, during a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the first Republic of Armenia, a law was adopted regarding the "national public book depository." This date is now celebrated annually as the Day of the National Library of Armenia since 1999. During the Soviet period from 1925 to 1990, the library was named after the Bolshevik statesman Alexander Miasnikian. Following Armenian independence in 1991, it was renamed the National Library of Armenia. The main building, located on Teryan Street and designed by Alexander Tamanyan (architect of modern Yerevan) in the "Tamanyan style" drawing on early and medieval Armenian architectural traditions, was built in 1939 and is recognized as a historical and cultural architectural monument. Three additional buildings added during the later Soviet period now also house the library's collections. In 2017, the Museum of Printing was opened within the library, displaying the history of Armenian book printing in six halls.

Collections and Holdings

The NLA holds more than seven million items across its four buildings, including books, journals, periodicals, dissertations, and rare materials. Among its most significant holdings are the first Armenian printed book, Urbatagirk (Venice, 1512); the first Armenian periodical, Azdarar (Madras, 1794–1796); and the first Armenian printed map, Hamatarats Ashkharatsuyts (Amsterdam, 1695). The maps collection numbers more than 11,000 items, including 782 of particular research value documenting the political boundaries of the Caucasus region over time. In 2012, the NLA launched a major digitization project; more than ten million pages of Armenian books and periodicals have since been digitized and made freely accessible online. The library cooperates with embassies, international organizations, and the Armenian diaspora through international book-exchange programs and research partnerships.

Access and Usage

The NLA is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 9pm, Saturday from 9am to 8pm, and Sunday from 9am to 5pm. All digitized collections are freely available online without login. Physical materials may be ordered through the Union Catalog of Armenian Libraries. Photocopy and digital scanning services are available on-site.