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At the initiative of the Department of Museology, Library Science and Bibliography of Armenian State Pedagogical University and U.S. Embassy in Armenia, a conference on “Current trends in applying new technologies and social media in Library and Information Science Education” was held at Avetik Isahakyan Central Library in Yerevan.
In his opening remarks, Professor Lavrenti Barseghyan, Head of the Department of Museology, Library Science and Bibliography, noted with regret that there are not cultural institutions in 940 communities of the country, while the application of base material and modern technologies will allow developing and reviving museums. “There is a need for cultural revolution that will restore interest in reading and library traditions.”
Hasmik Karapetyan, Director of Avetik Isahakyan Central Library, first emphasized the choice of the conference venue, then said that the conference would provide an opportunity to meet regional partners and ‘break the ice’ by calling the attention of governing bodies and public to the problems of libraries, once again stressing their role and significance in the public.
Citing the words of famous writer Iosif Brodsky who said that ‘the person who does not read a book commits a crime, in the first place, against himself, and the nation that does not read a book is punished with its history,’ Hasmik Karapetyan urged everyone to stay away from the process and, as active citizens, raise issues and concerns that will single out the priorities of libraries and put them under consideration.
Violeta Talandis, Information Officer of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, thanked the Department of Museology, Library Science and Bibliography, for assisting in the organization of the conference and stressed that the Embassy stands ready to support the conference and makes efforts to arouse interest in young people towards reading.
“The 21st century sent a new challenge to libraries, at the same time allowing us to use traditional forms of communication to attract more readers to libraries,” she added.
Gagik Sukiasyan, Doctor of Pedagogical Science, Professor at the Department of Museology, Library Science and Bibliography, presented the report “Development Strategy and Management Methodology of Library and Information Science.”
In his speech, the professor underlined that scientific management is a key factor in the development of higher education and management of library and information /bibliographic/ activities and has a theoretical, practical, educational, political and strategic importance.
“It is obvious that information is an important factor for the development of modern man, and a strict control is required to ensure its safety and reliability on an international scale. Unlike the direct contact with library and bibliographic information sources, the main reason for the virtual infinity dangers that influences the awareness of users is the lack of factors that regulate the process of reading,” he added.
Gagik Sukiasyan noted that in the technological developments of the modern bibliographic control activities it becomes evident that comprehensive assessment of the role of libraries and librarians and satisfaction of information needs of readers remain priority issues, which, from the methodological point of view, require urgent solutions.
In their reports, the speakers dwelt on the application of new technologies and social media in the Library and Information Science Education, computerization and digitization of library collections, development of multimedia technologies in Armenian museums, the role and importance of computers in Library and Information Science Education.
They also presented in detail the current trends in the use of new technologies and social media, the culture of service in Library and Information Science Education, classification of readers in the context of library science and bibliography, etc.
