CAIA library is a major resource centre, which documents the history, culture and other subjects related to Armenians. Our library holds a wealth of material relating to the Armenian history, people, literature, art, politics, Armenian Genocide, language, etc.

Library opening hours are from 9:00 – 16:00, Monday to Friday. Please make an appointment prior to your visit by calling 0208 8992 4621 or emailing info@caia.org.uk

Our library is a reference library and you are weclome to use our facilities for reading and research. Photocopying and scanning are available upon request.

Acquisitions policy

CAIA have adopted criteria to ascertain whether an item should be acquired or not. These are as follows:

  • Author may be Armenian
  • Topic must relate to Armenian matters
  • Materials should relate to Armenia or Armenians

The materials so far held by the CAIA is in the form of books, Journals, maps, photographs, paintings, newspapers, newsletters, calendars, DVDs, CDs, cassettes, videos, and various other artifacts relating to Armenia or Armenians.

Collection materials are classified and kept for permanent preservation. Any item held which is not deemed to be suitable for the CAIA will be returned to the donor or by request of the donor will be disposed of by the CAIA. The CAIA does not generally purchase items from the public. However, in very rare cases if they are considered extremely important to the aims of the library you should contact us to find out if any allowances can be made.

Copyright

CAIA requires library users to take into account the law of copyright, and therefore to use appropriately. With regards to both primary and secondary material, library users must first consult with a CAIA librarian, in order to discuss what would be needed to reference the material accordingly. In almost all cases, the creator/author is the first owner of copyright, unless she/he has assigned the copyright to someone else, e.g. the publisher. However, if the work was commissioned by another party, or was created whilst employed by another organisation, on request or as part of the normal course of employment, the copyright belongs to the contractor or employer. Copyright runs for life plus 70 years from the end of the death of the author/creator, or 70 years from public availability if the author/creator is unknown. Where there is joint authorship, the 70 years is calculated from the end of the year of death, of the last author to die.

Image Copyright

The photographer is copyright owner unless otherwise contracted or the work was commissioned or taken in the normal course of employment.

NB: Copyright ownership is dependent on the agreement made between photographer and employer/customer and in most cases photographers retain copyright in all their photographs (i.e. Contract Law overrides Copyright Law). Copyright in Commissioned photographs taken before 1st August 1989 belongs to the commissioner, NOT the creator provided money was paid for the photography.

CAIA requires library users to consult with librarians about how to copyright any photos or images obtained or found during their visit.

Accessibility

Every effort is made to ensure that the material is accessible for consultation, given prior notice. The library is an ongoing project and as such we may on occasion not be able to ensure access. However, we will always endeavour to do so.

We are always happy to receive donations, and hear about new books and publications. Get in touch with your suggestions or if you’d like to volunteer at the library.