In every country there is only one National Library which reflects the level of the country's cultural progress and also a model for advancement of other libraries
The National Library in each country is established based on three main objectives:
Collecting, preserving and publicizing all literary works and documents which are established in the country.
Collecting, preserving and publicizing major text books and writings published in other countries which are somehow dealing with the concerned country of writhen in one of the languages spoken in that country.
Promoting and expanding the libraries through out the country by conducting fundamental studies on library science and information dissemination, participation in national and international library planning and training the required work force.
With respect to the above mentioned objectives, there is no country in the world without National Library or a library which is not considered as National Library. Thus, in most of the countries, even those newly established ones, efforts have been made from the early ears of independence to set up National Library and in most of the country during the 20th century because of what is termed as publication explosion new building with larger space have been constructed as National Library . In line with the above objectives, there is a National Library in Iran which works for the said goals and its background and organization structure are as follows
Organization and historical backgrounds of the national library
In 1901 for the first time the establishment of the National Library became a part of legal process and the law was passed for this purpose. However, due to lack of adequate budget, in those years only the construction of the political science school was approved and establishment of the National Library was left future line.
In Feb, 1933, the article of association of the publication dept. of ministry of science and endowment was approved and the National Library and information dept. were integrated with the said ministry. Based on the article of association of the National Library, the responsibility of preparing the necessary lists for the books, collection of published books, newspapers and magazines, both locally published or sent from abroad, determining the printed and hand writhen books which should be purchased as well as the rules of procedures which was based on a separate article of association was transferred to the National Library. The role of procedures of the library consisting of 27 articles and 1 clause determining the organizational structure and the responsibilities of the library was approved in 1923 and later in Jan. 1934 on other rules of procedure calling the library as the public library was approved. This library till 1927 which was officially named as the National Library took several different names: Daralfonoon library, science library, Science Public Library, National Culture Library, Ferdowsi Library, and National Library of Tehran and finally the National Library.
From Sept. 1937, the National Library became under the auspices of the Department of Archaeology and the library was one of the affiliated organizations of the said department. Few year later the National Library became a part of Ministry of Education (Former Ministry of culture) and remained under the auspices of this ministry till 1964. from them onwards, the National Library was put under the supervision of the Department of Libraries which was a part of Ministry of Culture and Art and since 1974 became an independent establishment within the said ministry.
Following the Islamic Revolution, based on an ordinance issued by the revolutionary council in 1979, the Pahlavi library will all its staffs and collections were transferred to the National library and art to the Ministry of culture and Islamic guidance, the national library became affiliated to the Ministry of culture and higher Education. In 1983, the center for library services which was one of sub-divisions of the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education. In 1983, the center for library services which was one of the sub-divisions of the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education and provided services similar to that of the National Library, was integrated to this library. Following this development, the idea for turning the National Library to an independent entity gathered new momentum and finally upon the approval of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. The National Library was turned into an independent organization in 1980 and put under the auspices of the president. In 1998, the cultural documents of the Islamic Revolution organization was detached from the Ministry of culture and Islamic Guidance and integrated into the National Library. In 2001, the National Documents organization was integrated into this library and finally it was named as the Documents organization and the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Based on the articles of associations of the library which is an educational (scientific), research and service providing institution which functions under the direct supervision of the country's president and it is located in Tehran.
Meanwhile, since, 1998, for furthering the objectives and responsibilities of the National Library as stated in its articles of association, a scientific council, called the "high consultants of the National Library" consisting of 20 prominent scholars, experts and thinkers was formed to recommend the policies and scientific and cultural programs of the library. The meetings of the council take place every three months and based on the rules of procedure of the library, the chairman of the high council (president of the library) or the written recommendation of the members, the council can hold extra ordinary meetings.
Articles of Association of the National Library
The Articles of Association of the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a parliamentary Act was approved on Oct. 23.1990 by the Islamic consultative Assembly and ratified by the Guidance council on Nov.7.1990. the law consisted of 7 articles which in a session of the Assembly on June.10.1991 one article and a clause were added to the original law which were rarified by the Guardian Council on Jun.17.1991. in the said law the objectives and organizational structure of the library are stipulated in the law as follows
Based on the first article of the statute the National Library of the Islamic Republic, this library is an educational (scientific), research and service providing institution which works under direct supervision of the president of the country and is located in Tehran.
The second article, deals with the budget of the library (the National Library is a governmental organization and its budget is stipulated in the state budget).
In the article 3 of the statute, the objectives of the National Library are stipulated:
Collection, protection, administration and dissemination of information related to written works (printed and hand written) and non-written items is Iran and those belonging to Iranian living abroad.
Collection, protection, administration and dissemination of information related to written works (printed and hand written) and non-written items dealing with Iran and Islam, Islamic Revolution in particular and the leadership of the late Imam Khomeini.
Collection, protection, administration and dissemination of information related to major scientific, cultural and technical written and non-written works published in other countries.
Scientific research and planning on library science and information dissemination and participation in relevant international research works and activities.
Taking appropriate measures and decisions for facilitating and expediting authentic studies in all relevant areas aimed at promotion of national culture
Making consultation, supervising, guiding and providing technical assistance and planning for administration of library across the country.
Providing appropriate methods aimed at coordination of the services and activities of the National, public and specialized libraries and facilitating information exchange among them.
In article 4 to 7 of the statute, the organizational structure of the National Library is stipulated:
In the open session of the parliament on Jun.10.1991 an article and a clause were added to the statute of the National Library. Based on the said article which from the 9th article of the statute all the properties and the original building of the National Library (in Imam Khomeini street in downtown Tehran) and all the assets and liabilities of the library at the time of approval of the statute were under the full control of the library, were detached from the Ministry of the culture and higher education and were transferred to the National Library.
According to the clause of the said article all the buildings which are currently under the control of the National Library remaining under the ownership of the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education till the completion of the Library's new building to be kept under the full disposal and control of the library.
According to articles 4 to 8 of the statute of the library, its organizational estate is as follows:
Board of trustees
In the highest executive organ of the National Library and its members are:
The president of the Islamic Republic which is the president of the library,
Minister of science, research and technology (ex-Ministry of Culture and Higher Education),
Minister of Education
Two scholars in area of book science and books based on the article 7 of the Library's statute, the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees are as follows :
ratification of the organization chart and administrative structure of the library.
Formulation and approval of the financial, administrative, employment and organizational structure procedures of the library as recommended by the president of the National Library.
Approving the library's budget and presenting it to the concerned authorities.
A providing the rules and procedures for accepting gifts and financial donations made by legal and real persons.
Appointing the representatives of the library for attending meetings, conferences, forums and exhibitions and collaborations with international, inter-governmental and regional establishments about books and libraries.
Hearing the annual report of the head of the National Library and making required decisions about the report and determining the general policy of the library.
Approval of required internal rules and procedures of the library.
Recommending any change or modification of the statute to the concerned authorities.
Formulating schemes for mobilization of potentials in order to prepare statistics and presentation of manuscripts and historical documents in all libraries (governmental and non-governmental) and information centers across the country based on the scientific methods and making appropriate measure to prevent their destruction.
Planning for collection of two copies of all written of other forms of books, periodical publications, pamphlets, brochures, scientific reports, research works, stamps and similar items which are appropriate for the National Library.
Taking necessary measures to recover the shortcomings of National Library by all governmental and non-governmental organizations by purchasing, accepting as gifts, exchange of extra editions or their copies, micro-films, micro-fish.
Designation and dismissed of the head of the National Library.
Head of the Library:
The head of the library who is one the principle estates of the library is designated by the chairman of the Board of Trustees namely the president of the Islamic Republic and approval of the board members. The term of office of the head of the library is 4 years and could be reappointed for the post. The secretary of the Board of trustees is assigned to the head of the library and the designation and dismissed of the secretary is also bestowed to the board. According, responsibilities and authorities of the head of the library are numerated as follows:
running the affairs of the library based on the decisions made by the Board of the trustees.
Supervising the smooth and good performance of the rulings of the state, procedures and decisions made by the Board of trustees.
Recommendation of rules for financial, transactions, administrative and employment as well as the organizational chart of the library to the Board of trustees.
Presenting an annual report about the activities of the library and reporting the extent of the progress made by the library to the board of trustees.
Inviting the board members to attend meeting subject to article 5 of the statute.
Recommending the extraordinary meeting to the Board of Trustees whenever deemed necessary.
Signing of all contracts and financial documents, opening of bank accounts and introducing authorized signatures and making of payments within the limits set by the regulations and the approved budget.
Proposing the library's annual budget to the Board of Trustees.
Representing the library in all administrative and legal establishments and being entitled to appoint attorney to defend the right of the library.
Recommendation of the rules of procedure of the National Library to the Board of trustees for approval.
Hiring and firing of the Library's staff based on the approve organizational structure.
Carrying out other responsibilities assigned by the board of Trustees.
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