The library of State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia, its first head being Yelena Kochubina has a history of 73 years. Today the number of books in the library reaches to 17 120 units, among them exclusive publications, such as George Lutke’s voluminous book dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci, the first Russian edition of Friedrich Hottentroth’s two -volume book entitled “History of External Culture”, the encyclopedia- dictionary of Friedrich Arnold Brockhaus, etc.
Moreover, through more than seventy years library funds have regularly been replenished by donations of individuals, such as text-books, monographs, albums, catalogues, encyclopedias and dictionaries. Among them the more valuable donations have been made by People’s Painter of the ASSR Eduard Isabekyan, SAFAA Rector, Professor, Honorary Art Worker Aram Isabekyan, sculptor and painter Kamo Gyanjyan, neurosurgeon Zhirayr Darbinyan, Zaven Sargsyan-head of house-museum of Parajanov, the Embassies of Germany and France in the Republic of Armenia.
The main library fund of State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia has been created throughout postwar years. Organisational work entered into a new qualitative stage at the end of 1950’s when Anik Vardanyan was appointed as the head of library. The latter succeeded in replenishing the library with rich literature of Higher Party School of Yerevan, being dissolved for that time that was headed by her before. The library of the Institute of Fine Arts and Theatre (former name of the HEI) has employed respective specialists; the main register, catalogue and funds, etc. were formed.
There were also two reading-halls functioning in the Institute of Fine Arts and Theatre that were served by the literature of the library. In this regard, the devoted work of Anna Meliq and Flora Dznuni from art reading-hall is noteworthy. The latter two officers initiated establishing links with HEIs on art in Moscow, Leningrad and Tbilisi and received large number of documentary materials about art workers, exhibitions and cultural life. Through decades of honest work they have created a unique archive that serves not only to the SAFAA students, PhD students, lecturers but also those who write theses and monographs. In recent years following the dissolution of reading-halls the library staff, namely the head- Anush Aghgashyan, senior specialist- Hasmik Melqonyan, librarians- Karine Yeghiazaryan and Yelena Baghramyan have been engaged in maintaining and replenishing the archive. This is their invaluable service to all those who are engaged in research.
It’s also worth mentioning that the library of State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia periodically organises presentations and discussions of newly published books on fine arts and applied arts with the participation of the authors. It also organises reminiscence matinee devoted to those prominent art workers who have once been teaching at the Academy of Fine Arts. Especially noteworthy is the one organised in the memory of the first Rector of the Academy, sculptor, the founder and first president of Artists’ Union of Yerevan, academician of Fine Arts Academy of USSR- Ara Sargsyan with the presence of the artist’s family members, friends and relatives; the other such one was devoted to the painter, graphic painter, Professor Honoured Art Worker of ASSR- Hmayak Avetisyan that took place on 17th of September, 2013.
Working days and hours of the library:
Monday- Friday, from 9.00-16.00.
In order to apply for the library services students must submit their student cards and a photo of 3×4 size.
