The Fundamental Scientific Library (FSL) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Armenia is actively involved in implementing the Evergreen FOSS ILS in the NAS institution libraries and in advocating the system amongst the librarians from the developing countries. During April 6-7 Ilia Chavchavadze State University (Tbilsi, Georgia) library director Natia Gabrichidze and two IT specialists David and Levani visited FSL for a two-day training workshop on Evergreen futures.

Although Georgian librarians have already installed and are working with the Evergreen, they decided to visit their Armenian colleagues for an exchange of knowledge and skills. During training, 3 main topics were covered: Evergreen installation; Evergreen administration; cataloging.

Both sides were satisfied with the results of the visit and the outcomes of the training. Since both institutions are also partnering in the EU funded 3 year Tempus project, New Masters Program on Library and Information Science, it was decided to continue joint activities and efforts on implementing and introducing Evergreen to library staff and LIS students in a range of Tempus project activities.

During 2008 FSL has hosted training for the librarians and IT specialists from developing countries on Evergreen and Koha systems as part of the eIFL-FOSS ILS Project.

Tigran Zargaryan