YEREVAN, Armenia — The AGBU Papazian Library at the American University of Armenia hosted library directors from AMICAL Consortium member institutions for the AMICAL Library Directors meeting on May 7-8. OCLC, a global leader in library technology development and research, sponsored and participated in the event.
The meeting was a milestone for the Consortium and AUA, marking the first in-person gathering organized specifically for library directors from member institutions. “Being able to host the AMICAL Library Directors meeting was an honor and a joy for several reasons,” AGBU Papazian Library Director Laurie Alvandian said. “While we meet regularly online, this gathering gave us a chance to come together in a casual, interactive setting and get to know each other and our libraries much better. It’s also really meaningful for us to be able to show Armenia to our AMICAL colleagues, introduce them to our country, and present to them AUA and the AGBU Papazian Library.”
On May 7, during the opening of the meeting, AUA Provost Dr. Alina Gharabegian joined the session to welcome the participants, emphasizing the importance of such professional gatherings and the vital role that libraries play on campus.
Centered on the theme “Leadership in a Technology Driven World,” the meeting focused on key challenges and trends shaping academic libraries, including student engagement, faculty partnerships, and working with university leadership. Sessions included group discussions and four online presentations by leading library professionals, addressing topics such as technology trends, library advocacy, and community outreach.
The growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in libraries sparked some of the most lively debates. While some participants stressed the need to embrace AI to maintain libraries’ relevance, others voiced concerns about declining information literacy among students and the pervasive integration of AI into library services, databases, and software — often leaving individuals little choice but to engage with these tools. Other topics included staff wellness, sustainability, AI literacy for students and faculty, storytelling, and strategies to build trust and ownership through community participation.
One of the most dynamic sessions was an unconference, where participants introduced off-agenda topics. These included presentations on a newly launched makerspace and a critical conversation about how the goals of Silicon Valley tech companies may conflict with the missions of libraries.
“Conferences like AMICAL are the perfect venue for institutions sharing the same kind of liberal arts values and practices to come together and share challenges and solutions, explore mentor/mentee relationships, become exposed to new ideas, tools, practices, to partner for future collaborations, and to form a community of mutual support that is essential for maintaining an energizing professional environment,” remarked Alvandian. “It can be very easy for educators to feel alone in their work and in the problems they encounter in professional spaces. AMICAL provides a relief from that pressure, and allows members to share, learn, and grow in a comfortable, motivating environment.”
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
