“Underfunded” explores public libraries throughout Armenia to showcase the ways in which these vital learning centers are being forced to survive without basic resources. Once boasting an estimated 1300 libraries during the Soviet era, Armenia is now said to have as few as 200 functioning public libraries to serve its 3 million citizens, and their needs are as great as ever.
Often operating without light, heat, bathrooms, or books newer than 20 years old, it’s clear that Armenia’s libraries have been forgotten and neglected since the country’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. A combination of war, economic hardship and a devastating earthquake has meant that care for Armenia’s cultural and learning institutions have been placed on the backburner. Twenty-seven years later, their needs are as great as ever.
For a country that boasted an estimated 1300 libraries during the Soviet era, Armenia is now said to have as few as 200 functioning public libraries to serve its 3 million citizens. The images represent the literal and symbolic deterioration of public libraries, both in Armenia and around the world, and force us to reexamine whether we place enough value on free public access to information.
In April 2018, Armenia succeeded in having a grassroots, non-violent velvet revolution that resulted in the resignation of the corrupt ruling party that had held power since the country’s independence. A new, citizen-chosen government took their place, and with it ignited a renewed hope in the people of Armenia that they had power and control, as individuals, over their lives and their country. The core mission of libraries has long been to create a nation of informed and active citizens, and the people of Armenia will undoubtedly need the help of their public libraries as they move forward into a brand new era of democracy.
Text by Laurie Alvandian
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Of the 35 years she has been working at the Lukashin Community Library, Hripsime Grigoryan (64) has spent the last 13 as the only employee. Armenia, Lukashin Village, 24 October 2018 Yulia Grigoryants -
Dilijan City Library was moved to its current location in the 80’s. Plastic sheets help protect the books from the melted snow and rain that often leaks through the roof of the building. Armenia, Dilijan, 18 October 2018 -
Dilijan librarian Mary Ananyan (38) works beneath a photograph of Serik Davtyan, a famous revolutionary, art historian and author of the 1900’s. Armenia, Dilijan, 18 October 2018 -
At 100 years old, the Dilijan City Library is the oldest continuously operated public library in Armenia, serving over 5000 users from Dilijan and neighboring villages. Armenia, Dilijan, 18 October 2018 -
Bags of old, tattered books ready to be shipped off for recycling. The money the library earns from recycling is used to buy newer books. Armenia, Dilijan, 18 October 2018 -
Colorful decorations brighten the Aknashen Community Library. Armenia, Aknashen Village, 26 October 2018 -
Much of the building structure at the Dilijan City Library is crumbling, with little hope that funds will be secured for renovations in the near future. Armenia, Dilijan, 18 October 2018 -
Dilijan librarian Hasmik Hakobyan (61) sorts through piles of books donated to the library by community members. Some will be added to their collection, while others will be recycled. Armenia, Dilijan, 18 October 2018 -
Book storage at Armenian National Library Armenia, Yerevan, 22 October 2018 -
The National Library of Armenia began in 1832 as a section of the Yerevan Men’s Gymnasium. It’s current location was designed by architect Alexander Tamanyan to house around 7 million items. It currently holds over 6.5 million books. Armenia, Yerevan, 22 October 2018 -
With shelving space limited, librarians at Armavir Regional Library have started piling some of their 114,427 books against the wall, not easily accessible by users. Armenia, Armavir, 24 October 2018 -
The only source of heat at Mayisyan Community Library. Sole librarian Armenia, Mayisyan Village, 30 October 2018 -
Renovations began on the Khanjyan Community Library seven years ago, but because of a conflict with the village mayor, it was left half finished without heat or light. Armenia, Khanjyan Village, 24 October 2018 -
Of the surrounding libraries, the collection at the Myasnikyan Community Library is the largest, housing about 12,000 books. Armenia, Myasnikyan Village, 26 October 2018 -
Since Armenia’s April 2018 velvet revolution, Mayisyan Community Library has seen a noticeable increase in users. Armenia, Mayisyan Village, 30 October 2018 -
Aknashen Community Library. Armenia, Aknashen Village, 30 October 2018 -
Gai librarian Javahir Yepremyan (61) with her grandson, Razmik Gabrielyan (7). For half of the 40 years in which she has worked in her position, the library did not receive a single new book. Armenia, Gai Village, 26 October 2018 -
The writings of Vladimir Lenin, 27 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, still hold a spot at Gai Community Library, as well as at most public libraries in Armenia. Armenia, Gai Village, 26 October 2018
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