Library of Congress   

Anna Chulyan met with Robin Dale, Deputy Director of Library Management, Library of Congress, to discuss the framework of library cooperation, in particular, the engagement of Armenian-themed publications in the Library of Congress database, the importance of Armenian language character recognition, which will contribute to the inclusion of printed materials with Armenian content and precise descriptions in the relevant databases of the Library of Congress. The Armenian-language materials in accessible formats are of particular interest, the exchange of which has been pre-agreed with Alice O'Reilly, Director of the Collections for the Blind and Print-Disabled at the Library of Congress. The sides agreed to provide the Library of Congress with materials in Armenian in accessible formats upon request, particularly audio files.  

A book exchange programme between the two libraries was discussed, which has been successfully carried out for many years with the mediation and support of the US Embassy in Armenia. The necessity and importance of continuing the book exchange programme was reaffirmed, considering the modernization of policy priorities for replenishing the collections of both libraries over many years. During the meeting with Khatchig Mouradian, a specialist in Armenian and Georgian Area Specialist in the African and Middle Eastern Division, Library of Congress, the issues related to the replenishment, processing, digitization, and restoration of Armenian printed heritage digitization, and restoration of Armenian printed heritage were discussed, as well as prospects for cooperation with the National Library, particularly in terms of mutual enrichment of Armenian descriptions, transcriptions, titles, and digital copies of materials.  

Harvard University  

During a meeting with Professor Christina Maranci, Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University, she expressed her deep gratitude for the accessibility of NLA's digital databases, which contributes to the development of modern Armenian studies. A preliminary agreement has been reached to support researchers from Harvard University by providing access to digital copies of necessary materials, bibliographic lists, as well as mutual participation in conferences.  

With Thomas Hyry, the Director of the Houghton Library, Harvard University, the specifics of the acquisition, processing, and preservation of rare books held in their collections were discussed.    John Overholt, Head of the Department of Early Books and Manuscripts, and Christina Jacobson, Deputy Head, presented the Armenian collection of the Houghton Library, the history of its establishment, acquisition policy, and the nuances and challenges of bibliographic descriptions.   

Michael Hopper, head of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Division at the Widener Library, Harvard University, presented the library's Armenian collection, which currently consists of 145,000 titles and is growing steadily. It should be noted that the Widener Library also acquires Armenian-language “minor” materials (postcards, flyers, booklets, etc.) that reflect the reality of the Armenian diaspora. The rich collection of contemporary diaspora press is regularly enriched, which is a unique opportunity to obtain information and reflect it in the bibliographic lists of the National Library of Armenia.    

Mardigian Library, NationalAssociation for     
Armenian Studies and Research (N aasr )   

Within the framework of the visit to the United States, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with the Mardigian Library of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, which strengthened the already established effective cooperation.   

The Director of the National library of Armenia delivered a public lecture on “The National Library of Armenia: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”. The representatives of academic, cultural and educational centers of the community attended the meeting.  

Furher areas of cooperation were discussed with Marc Mamigonyan, Director of Academic Affair, NAASR, regarding research support in the field of Armenian studies, the provision of bibliographic lists, and mutual participation in conferences. Discussions were held with Ani Babaian, Director of the Mardigian Library, regarding the library's current activities to include its records in the Union Catalogue of Armenian Libraries, as well as the past and present replenishment of missing copies of printed materials in the Armenian Library with both physical materials and digital copies.  

Armenian Museum of America (ALMA)   

The Armenian Museum of America is famous for its exceptionally rich collections. Jason Sohigian and Gary Lind-Sinanian, the museum's Executive Director and Collections Curator respectively, presented printed collections, the majority of which are materials published outside Armenia in Armenian and other languages, of which no information is available in Armenia.   

The museum has a rich collection of printed periodicals, which is of great interest today. The museum provided a catalogue of its collection of periodicals to compare with the NLA's collections, as well as to identify and complete missing pieces.   

Armenian Cultural Foundation  

The Armenian Cultural Foundation is known for its collection of Armenian periodicals. The purpose of the visit was to get acquainted with the printed collections. The National Library of Armenia has been cooperating with the Foundation for many years.   

With Director Ara Ghazarians, possible cooperation areas were discussed, in particular, studying the collection of periodicals, identifying the lacking copies in the National Library of Armenia and enriching it with digital copies. The Foundation's collection also includes a wide range of unique musical materials, letters of exceptional cultural value and materials with authors' inscriptions.   

Massachusetts Institute of Technology  

For years, the National Library of Armenia has been collaborating with Professor Lerna Ekmekçioğlu, Director of the Women and Gender Studies Programme, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, supporting the programme's research through the provision of digital copies of materials. A preliminary agreement has been reached for joint work on a bibliographic collection of periodical materials created by Armenian women.     

Columbia University   

At Columbia University, Anna Chulyan attended the public lecture and new book presentation of Peter Balakian, an American writer of Armenian descent, PhD in History and English Department professor at Colgate University, New York. Professor Balakian gifted a copy with his inscription to the National Library of Armenia, promising to pay a visit during his 2026 trip to Armenia and enrich the Library's collection with his books.  

Center For Holocaust, Human Rights, And Genocide Education (Chhange), Brookdale Community College    

Dr. Asya Darbinyan, Director of the CHHANGE, provided a tour of the Museum and the Library's printed collection. An agreement has been reached to support the Center's research works by providing digital copies of necessary materials, and to provide the National Library of Armenia with Armenian-themed materials published by the Center.   

Boston Athenaeum  

During her visit to the Boston Athenaeum, Director Anna Chulyan was introduced to the library's collections, including Armenian and exclusive foreign-language materials on Armenian studies. A preliminary agreement has been reached with the Boston Athenaeum to help with bibliographic descriptions of materials in Armenian, as well as to provide digital copies of missing materials in the NLA collections.   

New Jersey Hovnanian School  

During the visit to the Armenian Hovnanian School, the school's educational and cultural programs were presented. While meeting with the senior-year students, the Director presented the National Library of Armenia, the Printing Museum, the Armenian-language databases, and the NLA website, which is also available in Western Armenian, making it easier for students to access.   

An agreement has been reached with Stephanie Torossian, the Head of the School, to welcome senior-year students to the National Library of Armenia and the Printing Museum in the spring of 2026.  

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

During her visit to the Boston Athenæum, Director Anna Chulyan became acquainted with the library’s collections, including Armenian-language materials and rare Armenological works in other languages. A preliminary agreement was reached with the Boston Athenæum to support the bibliographic descriptions of Armenian-language materials, as well as to assist in obtaining digital copies of items missing from the National Library of Armenia’s collections.

Embassy of Armenia to the United States   

The NLA Director Anna Chulyan was also invited to the reception hosted by the Armenian Ambassador to the United States, Narek Mkrtchyan, dedicated to the 34th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. The event welcomed high ranking US officials and representatives of the Armenian community, who were highly interested in the work of the National Library of Armenia in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. They also expressed their interest in visiting the NLA and the Printing Museum during their visit to Armenia