“Yntaniq Center”: Visit to the Shirak Regional and Central Libraries

“Books illuminate the soul, inspire and strengthen a person, awaken the best aspirations within them, sharpen the mind, and soften the heart.”
— William Makepeace Thackeray

As part of the program entitled “Reading as a Source of Development,” students of the “Yntaniq” Children and Youth Creative Center under the Ministry of Education and Science visited the Shirak Regional Library and the Mkrtich Armen Central Library on September 19.

The purpose of the visit was to develop among the students a culture of visiting libraries and using reading rooms, as well as to establish and strengthen connections between students and libraries.

The teenagers from the “Yntaniq” Center’s groups operating in the rural communities of Shirak Province and in Gyumri became acquainted with the libraries’ extensive collections, learned about the rules and procedures for using library services, and gathered interesting and educational information about book acquisition, as well as library attendance statistics.

While exploring the library collections, the students selected works from their preferred literary genres and took part in a round-table discussion with the librarians. Each student explained why they had chosen a particular work. Through their original approaches and well-founded interpretations, they managed to spark the interest of their fellow book lovers in the selected works.

The students also read the fable “Advice for the Journey of This Book” from Khachatur Abovyan’s collection “A Toy for Leisure Time” and, together with the librarians, analyzed its content and message.

“We are both moved and happy that you have organized such a beautiful and important initiative and brought the children to the library. You are helping them enter the world of books and interact with them directly. Through this visit, you are also helping children establish a connection with the library, engage more actively in self-education, and develop a love of books. This is a great and positive contribution today. Thank you for your visit,” said Asya Gharibyan, guide-secretary of the Central Library.

The students left the libraries impressed and thoughtful, eager to return once again.

H. Sargsyan