Abstract
In the summer of 2016 two Hunter College librarians, working with a colleague in the Republic of Armenia, conducted an IRB-approved focus group at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan, Armenia. This group drew participants from the libraries and other academic departments of the American University of Armenia as well as Yerevan State University, a large public institution. The discussion attempted to ascertain whether these libraries have devised effective strategies to acquire materials and build collections in the face of the challenges they face (budgetary, linguistic, and sometimes political) and whether faculty at these institutions feel their library’s collection meets their teaching and research needs. Together with results from an online survey, the responses gathered help illuminate the challenges that scholars and librarians face in the unique context of the South Caucasus, as Armenia and other countries in the region continue to develop post-Soviet models of higher education and transition to more democratic forms of government.
Highlights
This paper examines issues—including fiscal constraints, language, and social or political sensitivities—related to collection development at two academic libraries in the Republic of Armenia
Our main purpose is to serve Yerevan State University (YSU) students and specialists by providing them high quality information. . . . Sometimes the departments suggest books to be acquired and sometimes we propose to the departments certain books. (YSU, Library Administrator)
Faculty seemed to have a mixed experience depending on institution and discipline; for example, the instructor in translation theory from American University of Armenia (AUA) was very happy with the titles held by that library, while faculty in two departments at YSU mentioned that they go through channels other than the library to obtain certain titles
Summary
This paper examines issues—including fiscal constraints, language, and social or political sensitivities—related to collection development at two academic libraries in the Republic of Armenia. The paper presents results of original research conducted among both librarians and teaching faculty into how these factors affect collection development. In early 2016 the authors administered an online survey to teaching faculty at both institutions to gauge their level of participation in collection development activities. The authors convened a focus group in Yerevan, inviting participants representing librarians and faculty at both institutions to discuss collections and collection strategies. Yerevan State University (YSU) is a publicly funded institution employing more than 1,600 faculty members, with an enrollment of about 20,000 students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 19 different departments or faculties (Yerevan State University, 2020).
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