The National Library of Armenia, as the world’s largest repository of Armenian published works, as well as a center of library science and information, collects, processes and preserves the published materials of the Republic of Armenia and ensures its full accessibility for readers through all available means.

The rich collection of the library includes the first Armenian printed book, “Urbatagirk” (“Friday Book,” Venice, 1512), the first Armenian periodical, “Azdarar” (“The Monitor Monthly,” Madras, 1794) and the first printed map, “Hamatarats Ashkharatsuyts” (“Large World Map,” Amsterdam, 1695).

The various functions of the library include reader services (membership, interlibrary loan, reading rooms, etc.), acquisition of printed materials, preservation and digitization of library materials, as well as bibliographic research.

The library’s long history began in 1832, with the founding of the library of the Yerevan Men’s Gymnasium. Their collection of 18,000 items formed the basis on which the National Library of Armenia was born.

From 1925 to 1990, the library bore the name of the statesman and public figure Alexander Myasnikyan, and in 1990 was renamed the National Library of Armenia. The library is located in four buildings, the oldest of which was built by architect Alexander Tamanyan in 1939.

The construction of the Tamanyan building was financed by the government of Soviet Armenia and the charitable foundation “Grigor and Karapet Melkonyan.”

From 2008 to 2011, the building was reconstructed, this time with the financial support of the government of the Republic of Armenia. In general, the range of readers who visit the library is varied. Throughout its history, it has been visited by famous Armenian writers such as Avetik Isahakyan, Derenik Demirchyan, Paruyr Sevak, Nairi Zaryan, as well as the scientists Viktor Hambardzumyan, Sergey Mergelyan, John Kirakosyan, Edward Jrbashyan and others.