How To Get A Library Card in Yerevan

1. Av. Isahakyan Library

When you ask anyone in Armenia which library they prefer, the answer you’ll receive most of the time is the Central Library after Av. Isahakyan, or in short, Isahakyan library. The location itself is accessible to everyone living in Yerevan since it is right in the heart of the city. Not only does the library offer you to borrow and read books, but they also have courses and reading clubs. But first thing’s first, you must become a member.

Unlike other libraries, there are no age restrictions for obtaining a library card in Isahakyan library. It is open for everyone. 

If you are a resident of Yerevan and under 16, you need the following documents:
-Your parents’ / guardian’s passport
-Your birth certificate
-A 3x4 photo 

If you have no Yerevan registration and under 16:
-A reference from your school principal 
-Your birth certificate
-A 3x4 photo 

If you’re a student at a state university:
-A reference from your university’s dean’s office
-Your passport
-A 3x4  photo

If you’re a distant learner, you can only use the books at the library itself, you are not allowed to take them home. 

If you’re an adult and a resident of Yerevan:
-Your passport
-A 3x4  photo

If you have no Yerevan registration, you’ll need your passport and a photo, but you may not take the books home. If you present references, you can check out books from the service section. 

Once you get there, you take your documents to the registration office called 7th Room (7-րդ Սենյակ), which is the first window to your right when you go down the stairs. Your photo will be used for the laminated library card. 

For further questions concerning registration, call: (+374 10)  56-13-72

Wifi is available for everyone at the library.

Isahakyan library has several branches, the popular ones being the Department of Art after J. Byron, which includes illustration of science and culture, distribution of science and technical knowledge, aesthetic education, supporting of function of educational system, usage of books and magazines, etc. The address: Moskovyan 31/184, phone number:  (374 10) 53-35-93.

The Department of  Technical Literature includes mathematics, physics, chemistry, geography, radio engineering, law, psychology, pedagogy, economics, fiction in Armenian and Russian languages. The address is Tigran Mets 30, phone number: (374 10) 56-02-90
 

Other branches include:

Department of Fund Usage and Conservation, address: Nor-Aresh Atoyan passageway 9, Erebuni 32/91, Rustaveli 17
Number 15 L/B after KH. Gyulnazaryan, address: Sayat-Nova 37
Number 21 L/B, address: Baghramyan 20
Number 27 L/B, address: 5th str., Norq 65 buliding
Number 28 L/B after S. Vahunu, address: Mamikonyants 21
Number 29 L/B, address: Komitas 6
Number 33 L/B after L. Motalova, address:  Kiyevyan 1, Kiyevyan 3
Number 36 L/B, address:  N. Zaryan 19

There are classes you can attend at the library. They organize courses to improve your foreign language skills. There’s the American Corner, British Center, and the Center of Francophone. Not only you can attend their courses, but you can also attend their movie club and reading club. The courses are held in the educational center of the library.
 
For further questions, call: (+374 10) 56-13-83

The place has its own set of rules like every other library, for eg. uncommon books, directories, books acquired through interlibrary loans department are given only at the reading hall. In the event that any harm is done to the collection or property of the library, you are required to re-establish the accumulation or the bit of property in harm or repay it as indicated by the present market values.

Isahakyan library is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays, from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. It is situated on Nalbandyan 4/1 street, right by the Republic Square metro station.
 

2. AUA AGBU Papazian Library

Another well-known library is AUA’s AGBU Papazian Library. The library is very attainable, especially to AUA students, although you don’t have to be a student there to obtain a library card.  The library is on your left upon entering the university building. You get registered at the Circulation and Reference desk which you can find on your right once you enter the library. 

If you have an Armenian passport, all you need to take with you is the passport itself. If you’re under age/ do not own an Armenian passport, but your parents/ guardian do, that can work as well. You will be registered in their name. Your picture will be taken there, and you will be given a paper to fill out your name, address, e-mail, phone number, and where you study/work. You also pay 3100 drams: 1600 for the library card itself, and 1500 annual fee. You will be told how the payment system works since it is done through a terminal.

If you have a non-Armenian passport or have no Yerevan registration, you bring the same documents as said above, plus, you pay a non-resident deposit, 15.000 drams. By the time you’re done using the library services, if you haven’t done any damage to the books you’ve borrowed, you return your card and get the deposit back. 

In case you lose your card, you pay for a new one. 

The AUA library also has rules. Since the space is limited, only AUA students can stay there and read, everyone else may only borrow books. You may use the reading hall only if you’re preparing for tests such as GMAT, TOEFL, etc., because the textbooks for those aren’t allowed to be taken with you. Another case is when AUA students are on vacation, you are permitted to use the reading hall. You may also use online resources but only with the help of a librarian. You can borrow maximum 2 book for 14 days, and you pay 100 drams for each day you’re late in returning them. Maximum lateness fee is 5000 drams.

The library works from 9 am to 2 am on weekdays, 10 am to 9 pm on Saturdays, and 11 am to 7 pm on Sundays. It is located on Marshal Baghramyan 40.

For further questions, call: (+374 60) 61-27-64, or (+374 60) 61-27-62

3. National Library of Armenia

Another library that is recognized is the National Library of Armenia. What is convenient about this particular library is that it doesn’t matter what passport you have or registration, you may receive a library card as long as you’re 17 and older. 

You may register at the reading hall on your left upon entering the library from the main entrance. You will find the desk on your right. 

All you need to present is:
-Your passport
-Two 3x4 photos

The registration desk works from 9 am to 9 pm on weekdays, 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. 

For further questions, call: (+374 60) 62-35-15 

Although registering is free, different sections may include fees for valuable books in case you want to take them home. Each price is different, it depends on how long you want to keep them. Wifi is available for everyone. 

The reading halls are open from 9 am to 9 pm on weekdays, 9 am to 8 pm on Saturdays, and 9 am to 5 pm on Sundays. The library is located on Teryan 72, near the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia.