On June 1, the city of Goris hosted a solemn opening ceremony for the outdoor little libraries. The event was organized by “The A.D. Sakharov Armenian Human Rights Protection Centre” NGO within the framework of the “Involving Youth in Local Governance in Armenia” placemaking project․ This project was implemented by the Goris Youth Active Group and “The A.D. Sakharov Armenian Human Rights Protection Centre with the financial support of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Goris, a group of municipality staff members, members of active youth groups, community residents, and guests.
As part of the “The City is Reading” initiative, three little libraries were installed in the central park of Goris and adjacent to the Goris Children’s Library. These libraries will operate on the “take, read, return, or exchange” principle. The project aims to promote a culture of reading, vitalize public spaces, and contribute to the formation of a culture of community participation and mutual trust.
During the opening, attendees walked around the little libraries, familiarized themselves with their operating principles, and discussed the importance of the initiative for the development of the community’s educational and cultural life. The project coordinators noted that an initial fund of around 60 books has already been formed in the little libraries, which is available to everyone without registration or restrictions.
The participants highlighted the engagement of young people at all stages of the project’s implementation (from book selection to the furnishing of the little libraries and public awareness campaigns).
The authors of the initiative believe that the little libraries will not only stimulate interest in reading but will also become new spaces aimed at vitalizing community life, promoting the spread of knowledge, culture, and civic participation.
“The A.D. Sakharov Armenian Human Rights Protection Centre” NGO hopes that the initiative will serve as a successful example for creating similar opportunities both in other areas of Goris and in other communities.
Notably, the opening ceremony of the little libraries took place on International Children’s Day, which gave the initiative a special significance, emphasizing its importance in the educational and cultural development of children and youth, as well as in the promotion of reading.
