The National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran is an educational, research, scientific, and service institution whose articles of association have been approved by the Islamic Parliament and is headed by the President.
The official formation of the National Library dates back to 1316. In 1358, the Center for Library Services and in 1378, the Organization of Cultural Documents of the Islamic Revolution were merged into the National Library, and finally in 1381, with the approval of the Supreme Administrative Council, the National Library and the Organization of National Archives were merged and the current organization was formed. Currently, this organization operates in two independent buildings: the “National Library of Iran” and the “Treasure of National Archives of Iran“.
Article (1):
The National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is called the National Library in this Articles of Association, is an educational (scientific), research, and service institution under the direct supervision of the President, which will be administered according to the provisions of this Articles of Association, and its location is Tehran.
Article (2):
The National Library is a government institution, and its budget is included in the country’s budget as an independent section related to the presidential institution.
Article (3) – Objectives:
- Collecting, protecting, organizing, and disseminating information related to written (printed and handwritten) and non-written works in Iran or belonging to Iranians abroad.
- Collecting, protecting, organizing, and disseminating information related to written (printed and handwritten) and non-written works in the field of Iranology and Islamology, especially the Islamic Revolution led by Imam Khomeini (may God bless him and grant him peace).
- Collecting, protecting, organizing, and disseminating information related to written and non-written authentic scientific, cultural, and technical works from other countries.
- Research and scientific planning of librarianship and information and participation in relevant international research and activities.
- Thinking and making necessary decisions for the accuracy, ease and speed of research and study in all fields in order to elevate the national culture and conduct relevant research.
- Consulting, supervising, directing, and providing technical services and planning and organizing the country’s libraries.
- Providing the best methods to coordinate the services and activities of public and specialized libraries to facilitate the exchange of information.
Article (4) – Library elements:
The elements of the National Library are:
- Board of Trustees
- Head of the National Library.
Article (5):
The Board of Trustees of the National Library will be composed of the following people:
- President of the Islamic Republic of Iran (President of the National Library).
- Minister of Culture and Higher Education.
- Minister of Education.
- Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
- Two experts in the field of books and librarianship, one person at the suggestion of the Minister of Culture and Higher Education and one person at the suggestion of the Minister of Islamic Guidance and the approval of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
- Head of the National Library.
Note (1): The Board of Trustees will be chaired by the president.
Note (2): The head of the National Library is appointed for a period of four years with the proposal of the chairman and the approval of the board of trustees, and his re-election is unimpeded.
Note (3): The head of the National Library will also serve as the secretary of the Board of Trustees.
Article (6):
The decisions of the Board of Trustees will be valid with the absolute majority of the present members.
Article (7) – Duties of the Board of Trustees:
- Approval of the organization and administrative structure of the National Library.
- Preparing and approving the financial, administrative, employment, and organizational regulations of the library based on the recommendations of the head of the National Library.
- Approving the budget of the National Library and proposing it to the relevant authorities.
- Approving the methods to attract gifts and financial assistance from natural individuals and legal entities.
- Approving the participation of the National Library representatives in meetings, conferences, congresses, exhibitions, and international, interstate or regional collaborations related to books and libraries.
- Receiving the annual activity report of the director of the National Library and making a decision about it and determining the general policy of the library.
- Approval of internal regulations required by the National Library.
- Proposing any changes or amendments to the Articles of Association to the relevant authorities.
- Presenting plans for mobilizing facilities in order to prepare statistics on the preservation of books and written and historical records of all libraries (government and non-government) using advanced scientific methods in all libraries and information centers of the country and to prevent wastage and or looting them.
- Planning to receive two copies of all written and non-written works including books, periodicals, pamphlets, brochures, scientific and research reports, stamps and the similar materials that are required and utilized by the National Library.
- Taking the necessary steps to address the national library’s deficit by engaging all state and non-state libraries in the country, either through purchasing or receiving donations or exchanging their duplicates, copies, microfilms, or microfiches.
- Approving the appointment and dismissal of the head of the National Library.
Article (8):
The duties and powers of the head of the National Library are:
- Administration of library affairs according to the approvals of the Board of Trustees.
- Taking care of the good implementation of the Articles of Association and regulations and approvals of the Board of Trustees.
- Proposing financial, transactional, administrative, employment, and organizational regulations of the library to the Board of Trustees.
- Presenting the annual activity report of the library as well as the progress report to the board of trustees.
- Inviting the members of the Board of Trustees to participate in the meetings of Article 5 of the Articles of Association.
- Suggesting the organization of extraordinary meetings to the Board of Trustees as necessary.
- Signing all contracts and financial records and opening bank accounts and introducing authorized signatures and allowing payments within the limits of the relevant regulations and the approved budget.
- Proposing the annual budget of the National Library to the Board of Trustees.
- Representing the National Library in all administrative and judicial authorities with the right to choose a lawyer in order to fulfill the rights of the library.
- Proposing the internal regulations of the National Library to the Board of Trustees to make a decision.
- Appointment and dismissal of all employees of the National Library based on the approved organization.
- Performing other tasks assigned by the Board of Trustees.
The above law, consisting of eight articles and three notes, was approved by the Islamic Parliament in a public session on Wednesday, Aban 2, 1369, and approved by the Constitutional Council on 1369/06/16.
The law of adding an article as article (9) to the Articles of Association of the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Single Article: The following article is added under the title of Article (9) to the Articles of Association of the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Article (9):
All the movable property and the main building of the National Library (located on Imam Khomeini Street) and the assets and obligations of the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which were under the authority and full use of the library at the time of the approval of the Article of Association, were taken from the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education and given to the library.
Note: Other buildings that are currently in the possession of the National Library of Iran, will be fully owned by the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education until the completion of the new building of the library, with all available facilities. The aformentioned law which consists of a single article and a note, was approved by the Islamic Parliament in a public session on Sunday, 19 Khordad, 1370, and was approved by the Constitutional Council on 1370/03/26.