The history of the formation of the library complex dates back to the beginning of the 1240 S.H. In 1268 A.H./1231 S.H., Dar al-Funun school started its work in Tehran and 12 years later (1280 A.H./1243 S.H.), a small library was established in that school, and fate was such that this small collection in a school that was built in the European style became the core of the collection of the National Library of Iran. 73 years later, on the 3rd of Shahrivar 1316, it was officially opened in Tehran and was considered one of the manifestations of modernity in this country.
During the reign of Muzaffar al-Din Shah, when Iranians became more familiar with the Western civilization, in 1315 A.H./1276 S.H., the Tehran Educational Association was formed to promote culture and establish new schools. A year later, on 17 Jumadi al-Thani 1316 A.H./1277 S.H., the Anjuman established the “National Library of Maarif” next to the Dar al-Funun school, using a collection of that had been gathered with great effort.
The important point is that the word “national” used in the name of this library did not mean “national” and “nationalist” in any way, but it meant that this library has no affiliation with the government and is a non-profit institution. Therefore, it is not out of place if we consider it the first public library of Iran that was established in Tehran. Moreover, until a few decades later, Tabriz National Library, Fars National Library, Kerman National Library, and Rasht National Library, which were all public libraries, were established in Iran. There can only be one national library in any country. Therefore, it is not correct to consider the “National Library of Education” as the predecessor of the National Library of Iran.
In 1324 A.H./1284 S.H., during the ministry of Alaa al-Mulk, the National Education Library was transferred to the Dar al-Funun school and merged with that school’s library. In 1338 A.H./1298 S.H., during the time of Hakim al-Mulk Ministry of Education, the name “Ma’arif Library” was given to this library, and finally in 1353 A.H./1313 S.H., during the period of the Ministry of Education of Ali Asghar Hekmat, it was named “General Education Library”.
According to the regulations of Ma’arif Public Library (approved on Day 9, 1313 S.H.), the library was under “the Department of Impressions” and had approximately 5000 book volumes with an average of 31 visitors per day.
The “duties” section also only describes the duties of the library staff and does not mention the duties of the library.
However, in the regulations of the Department of Imprints (parent organization of the Maarif Library) in the Department of the National Library, the duties of the library were as follows:
- Organizing and taking care of the books in the library and compiling and typing the necessary lists for the books.
- Collecting printed books and domestic and foreign newspapers and magazines that reach the library.
- Selection and determination of handwritten and printed books that should be purchased every year to complete the library.
These are most of the general duties of a public library.
At that time, the head of the Maarif Library was Jahangir Shamsavari, who had recently returned to Iran from America and was familiar with new libraries.
Another important event in 1313 was the Ferdowsi Millennium Congress and Celebration in Tehran. Perhaps it was the first time that a significant group of Iranologists and Orientalists from all over the world gathered in Iran.
A hall was named after Ferdowsi in Dar al-Funun school and the works of visiting Orientalists and Iranologists and the books they donated to the Congress were collected there. After the congress, these books were also added to the collection of the public library of education.