Computers, services and Wi-Fi Internet for rural libraries
I. First stage
The main goal of the project was improving the operation of rural libraries by providing them computers
equipped with a lightweight library management programs and book circulation program that will allow
to subscribe members, register books, organize the book circulation, search requested books, track the
movement of books, control book check-in and check-out as well as quickly receive any required
information on books in the library. The overwhelming majority of rural libraries In Armenia didn't have
computers.
Another major problem in rural regions was the absence of computer service skills. Very often libraries
in rural areas even having computers can't use them when problems arise, because of the absence of
service staff, knowledge and skills. It was clear that they also need help in troubleshooting and repair,
operating system and application program installation. The following plan of support was developed:
- Develop a lightweight library management program
- Provide computers to libraries
- Train librarians to use the library management program
- Troubleshoot and repair library computers.
We were planning to purchase 20 computers with ISOC AM resources and 50 computers by the BNet
grant resources.
Up-to-date we have already installed 50 computers with library management software and trained 50
librarians. Each donation is certified by a contract signed by library authorities. The expenses included
purchasing computers and transportation to deliver computers to rural regions. Wi-Fi routers were
installed at some libraries. We also provided IT service for rural libraries. At many places they need not
only to learn the library management software but also the basics of operating systems and computer
hardware to be able to solve minor problems. We have constant phone contact with librarians and try to
respond to their needs as soon as possible.
Library management program we developed is very easy installed and has a simple interface. Besides
that we are providing training sessions with hands on exercises.
During visits to rural regions besides our installed library computers we repaired 33 computers .
190 hours were spent for software installation and training.
There were the following travels to rural regions:
Yerevan-Goris-Khndzoresk-Verishen -Akner-Karahunj
Yerevan-Kapan-Baghaburj-Barabat -Behh-Ashotavan
Yerevan - Hadrut
Yerevan-Hrazdan-Meghradzor
Yerevan-Hrazdan – Marmarik
Yerevan - Hrazdan
Yerevan - Tsovagyugh
Below is the list of rural sites where the computers were installed and their photos.
Ashtarak town, 2nd school library
Baghaberd district library
Baghaberd-district-club-library
Baghabunj settlement club-library
Kapan town - Bulders district lbrary
Kapan town - Dzorq club-library
Garabagh-Qyuratagh-village-library
Gegharquniqi marz Chkalovka village library
Gegharquniqi marz Dtmashen village library
Gegharquniqi marz Zovaber village library
Goris town Central library
Goris town Children library
Goris town-Akner library
Goris town-Avangard library
Goris town-Gusan Ashoti 8 library
Goris town-Gusan_Ashoti 21 library
Goris town-Halidzor suburb library
Goris town-Harjis suburb library
Goris town-Khndzoresk suburb library
Goris town-Qarahunji suburb library
Goris town-Shinuhayr suburb library
Goris town-Svarandz suburb library
Goris town-Syuniq175 library
Goris town-Tatev suburb library
Goris town-Vanqi_Tap (TandzaTap) suburb library
Goris town-Verishen suburb library
Goris-town-Svarandz-suburb-library
Hrazdan town-TV library
Hrazdan-town--4th-library
Kapan town, Barabathum district library
Kapan town, David beck district club-library
Kapan town,Ashotavan district library
Kapan town-Bekh suburb library
Kapan town-Kavart suburb library
Lernanist village library
Marmarik village library
Meghradzor village library
Kapan town - Minas Papyan district library
Kapan town - Mushegh Harutyunyan district library
Kapan town - Rafayel Minasyan district library
Syunik, Dastakert village library
Tsovagyugh village Library
Vachagan settlement club-library
Yerevan City - 16th library
Computers, services and Wi-Fi Internet for rural libraries
II. Second stage
During the first stage of the project we installed 50 computers. During the 2nd stage 20 more computers and 16 Wi-
Fi routers were installed. We also repaired the previously installed computers if necessary and do other
service jobs.
We continued providing rural libraries with computers equipped with a lightweight library management
programs and book circulation program that allows to subscribe members, register books, organize the
book circulation, search requested books, track the movement of books, control book check-in and
check-out as well as quickly receive any required information on books in the library.
As was mentioned in the interim report another major problem in rural regions was the absence of
computer service skills. Very often libraries in rural areas even having computers can't use them when
problems arise, because of the absence of service staff, knowledge and skills. It was clear that they also
need help in troubleshooting and repair, operating system and application program installation.
Service of installed systems is a matter of primary importance. We developed a method of remote
service by the use of Teamviewer, a remote desktop tool with the following remote services: Remote
Desktop, Remote Access, Remote Control, Remote Support. It lets us to provide a quick reaction to rural
libraries problems. Each day we receive 3-4 phone calls with Teamviewer sessions from rural libraries.
We pay special attention to the Internet connection. Practically there is no Internet access problem in
Armenia. If a library doesn't have a cable Internet we were persuading heads of village administration to
purchase a WiFi adapter stick to connect library to a mobile operator. To create a Wi-Fi media within
library we are providing them Wi-Fi routers. WiFi routers were installed in the following libraries:
Hrazdan city regional Library, Kotayk region
Zovuni village library, Yeghvard community, Kotayk region
Abovyan city community Library, Kotayk region
Yeghvard city library, Kotayk region
Akunk village library, Kotayk region
Tavush regional library, Tavush region
Noemberyan central library, Tavush region
Noemberian children library, Tavush region
Dilijan municipal central library after Ghazaros Agrayan, Tavush region
Goris city cultural center children library after Gusan Ashot, Syunik region
Goris city central municipal Library, Syunik region
Kapan city library after David Bek, Syunik region
Kapan city Baghaberd ibrary, Syunik region
Kapan city Builders' library, Syunik region
Amrakis village library, Lori region
In order to deliver computers, software and Wi-Fi routers as well as service of previously installed
computers the following travels to rural areas were done:
Yerevan-Ijevan:
Yerevan - Dilijan
Yerevan - Vanadzor-Amirak
Yerevan - Tsaghkunq
Yerevan - Varser-Norashen
Yerevan - Hrazdan
Yerevan - Abovyan - Yeghvard
Yerevan - Goris
Yerevan - Kapan
During visits to rural regions in addition to the nstallation of library computers we repaired 16
computers and spent 80 hours for software installation and training.
Several workshops for librarians were organized. One of them is shown below.
Workshop for Tavush region librarians
As this project covered only 10% of rural libraries needs ISOC Armenia chapter is going to continue the
project with the financial help of the Armenian Internet Registry and other sponsors. We are planning an
active fundraising for that.
Below is the list of rural sites where the computers were installed and their photos.
Amrakic village library, Lori region
Gandzaqar village library, Tavush region
Voskevan village library, Tavush region
Dilijan city #2 library, Tavush region
Dilijan city #3 library, Tavush region
Dilijan city #4 library, Tavush region
Azatamut village library, Tavush region
Kothi village library, Tavush region
Sevkar village library, Tavush region
Achajur village library, Tavush region
Getahovit village library, Tavush region
Dovegh village library, Tavush region
Tsaghkavan village library, Tavush region
Noyemberyan city library, Tavush region
Noyemberyan city children library, Tavush region
Vardashen village library, Tavush region
Tavush regional library, Tavush region
Norashen village library, Gegharqunik region
Varser village library, Gegharqunik region
Tsakhkunq village library, Gegharqunik region