YSU marks Book Giving Day with reopening of library

The event commenced with performances by the YSU Band, followed by the official reopening ceremony of the library's first floor.

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan described the initiative as the realization of a long-held vision aimed at modernizing the university's educational and research environment. He praised the collaborative efforts of all partners involved in the project.

Hovhannisyan expressed particular gratitude to the Izmirlian Foundation for enabling the construction and the creation of the new environment. He noted that the hall bears the name of National Hero of Armenia Dikran Izmirlian, underscoring Izmirlian's consistent investment in the development of education and science. 

He emphasized that the library will serve as a platform for the creation and transfer of knowledge and the formation of innovative ideas, contributing to the full revelation of the creative potential of students, young researchers, and scientists.

Zhanna Andreasyan, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, highlighted the symbolism of the event coinciding with the birthday of poet Hovhannes Tumanyan and Book Giving Day. She emphasized that the reopening represents more than an infrastructural change.

education is not merely the transfer of knowledge, but the creation of an environment where ideas are born and human connections are formed. She expressed hope that the reopening of the library will lay the groundwork for a new quality of education at the university and be a sign of a shift in mindset.

The minister expressed hope that the library will operate as a public space with an independent schedule, serving not only students but the broader community. She also touched upon the university's recent development regarding new infrastructure, academic and educational initiatives and international competitiveness, emphasizing that these processes will also contribute to increasing the institution's global appeal.

Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan addressed the significance of Book Giving Day, emphasizing that the implementation of such an initiative is particularly symbolic within the framework of a holiday dedicated to the appreciation of books.

The minister noted that although the government invests significantly in technological development, technological progress cannot replace the culture of reading books. Regardless of how digital solutions may simplify life, accelerate communication and decision-making, reading remains an irreplaceable means of self-discovery.

Mkhitar Hayrapetyan highlighted the importance of the new space, expressing confidence that over time it will consolidate a wider community, as university libraries and reading rooms will be open to all. 

Director of the Izmirlian Foundation Armen Chobanyan stated that the foundation has cooperated with the university since 1995, and that in recent years this partnership has taken on a transformational nature. He emphasized that the initiative concerns not only infrastructure, but also a qualitative change in the educational environment. 

Armen Chobanyan underscored that the library should be viewed not only as a place for reading, but also as a space for communication, collective reflection, and idea generation—particularly in terms of preserving human connections in the digital age. He also announced that the foundation will continue its initiatives in the fields of education and high technology, including cooperation already launched with Georgetown University.

Director of the YSU Sarkis and Marie Izmirlian Library Avetik Mejlumyan remarked that the final result exceeded expectations held at the time of the memorandum's signing.

On the occasion of the Book Giving Day, the library organized a book drive that collected approximately 1,000 volumes from more than 20 donors. A portion of the books will remain at the university, while the rest will be donated to community libraries and partner universities.

The library is also evolving as a platform for non-formal education and creative initiatives. This is evidenced by the workshops titled "From Folklore to Fantasy", conducted by YSU Professor and folklorist Alvard Jivanyan, aimed at demonstrating how traditional folklore can serve as the foundation for contemporary authorial works. The initiative represents an important step in the development of the fantasy genre in Armenia. Notably, Alvard Jivanyan also contributed to the enrichment of the library's collection through her own donation.  

Among the library's programs is a reading competition organized in cooperation with the Armenian office of DVV International. One of the participants, Asia, a student at the YSU Faculty of Economics and Management, also contributed to the enrichment of the library's collection through her prepared videos and donation.

The day concluded with a quiz contest and a performance of "Servant Simon" at the YSU Charles Aznavour Cultural Center.

The reopening ceremony of the first floor of the YSU Sarkis and Marie Izmirlian Library was attended by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth and Sport Sisak Gabrielyan, Chair of the Higher Education and Science Committee Sargis Hayotsyan, Izmirlian Foundation Director Armen Chobanyan, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, as well as members of the university's leadership, administrative staff, faculty, and students.

The renovation of the library's first floor was executed with the support of the Izmirlian Foundation. Design funding was provided by the Union of Armenian Businessmen in Germany. Furniture and necessary equipment were acquired through funds from Ameriabank and Yerevan State University.