According to the Statutes of the National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the goal of the National Archives is to collect and preserve the national records of Iran in a unified organization. This is done to provide suitable conditions and facilities for public access to these records, as well as to save administrative and staffing costs through the centralization of non-current files of ministries, government, and government-affiliated institutions, and the destruction of redundant papers.
Note: The records referred to in this section include all papers, correspondence, books, files, photographs, maps, plates, charts, films, microfilms, audio tapes, and other records that have been prepared by the government or that have reached the government. These records are in the possession of the government continuously and non-continuously, and based on their administrative, financial, economic, judicial, political, cultural, scientific, technical, and historical significance, the National Archives of Iran determines whether they should be preserved permanently.
The National Archives of Iran achieves this goal through the following activities and duties:
Collection: The majority of the records collection is done by receiving non-current records from ministries, government, and government-affiliated organizations, companies, and other institutions. It also involves acquiring records from historical families and personalities through various methods such as purchase, donation, endowment, and loan).
Supervision and follow-up: This includes supervising the destruction of redundant papers by administrative bodies in the country according to relevant regulations and standards that ministries, government, and government-affiliated institutions must follow for organizing, recording, and preserving their records and files. Additionally, it involves developing standards for cataloging, indexing, and scanning records and also communicating these guidelines to all administrative units of the government.
Organization: This involves receiving, organizing, cataloging, analyzing records, preparing and restoring records using the latest scientific advancements in the field of preservation and damage assessment, as well as coordination and appraisal of records. These are some of the activities in this area.
Dissemination of information: In this context, services are provided to researchers in the form of offering images of records, providing microfilm and microfiche, compiling books related to archival records, and publishing a quarterly journal of historical research entitled “Ganjin-ye Asnad”. Organizing specialized exhibitions is also part of the activities in this area.
Research: Various research activities are carried out based on the existing records to uncover historical, economic, social, and cultural details, particularly concerning the Qajar and Pahlavi periods. To date, 80 books have been published on these topics. Additionally, research on various classification methods of preservation techniques, and methods that align with global standards for record maintenance are also conducted.
Training: A wide range of specialized training programs related to records are offered in this field, including records studies and reading, familiarization with major archives in Iran and the world, expert examination of records and materials, historical texts editing, record restoration, and more.
Importance of Archives
Records, as part of the shared memories of the people of the world, play a crucial role in preserving the religious, national, and cultural identity of the past, present, and future. Therefore, archivists can be likened to architects and builders who link the past to the future. Records serve as a guiding light for officials, researchers, and nations. They safeguard the religious, national, and cultural identity of nations, and in fact, form the “national memory”. The documentary heritage encompasses a vast and extensive part of these memories and, in the international sphere, represent the diversity of nations, languages, and cultures.
The Importance of Archives Protection
It should not be forgotten that these memories are highly vulnerable. Many valuable and unique records, and even entire archival and library collections, have been lost throughout history due to natural or human-made disasters, especially wars. Additionally, due to neglect and forgetfulness by governments and their owners, records have been torn or deteriorated, and in some cases, are kept in such poor conditions that they are at constant risk of destruction. A significant portion of the documentary heritage at the global, regional, national, and provincial levels has been lost due to factors such as paper acidification, degradation of leather, skin, film, and magnetic tapes, exposure to light, heat, humidity, and dust. Human-made events alongside natural causes also damage libraries and archives. Only through preventative measures can records be preserved against disasters like earthquakes, floods, fires, tornadoes, storms, wars, and similar events. To date, no comprehensive list has been prepared of libraries and archives that have been destroyed due to war, bombing, and fire, whether intentional or accidental.
The library of Alexandria is probably the most famous historical example in this regard. However, how many known and unknown treasures have been destroyed in the wars of Constantinople, Warsaw, Florence, or in more recent conflicts, including Sarajevo, Kabul, and Baghdad? The answer remains clear. Unfortunately, the list of such examples is long, and it is impossible to complete it.
Importance of National Archives
Without mentioning collections that have been scattered or damaged due to the transfer of archives or libraries, unfortunately there are also examples of such cases in the national context. This brings us to the fundamental question: what is the solution? It seems that the solution lies in giving serious attention to the construction of new, intelligent, and technically advanced buildings, training specialized and technical personnel, securing necessary equipment, and enacting new laws and regulations. Fortunately, today, we are witnessing the opening of these buildings across the country, one after another. The building of the National Library and just a few hundred meters away, the building of the National Archives (the National Archives Repository of Iran) are among the proud achievements built after the Islamic Revolution of Iran. With the completion of their construction and full equipping, we will reach a new era of activities.
The Need to Create a Records Database
It is essential to have databases preserve the valuable wealth and assets of the Muslim and revolutionary nation of Iran. Among these national assets, the records and books of the National Archives and the National Library are considered the most valuable. Archives, in fact, are gifts from the past generations to future ones, and the level of attention and care given to them reflects the civilization of countries and the enlightenment of nations.
In general:
National archives form the memory of governments, nations, and ultimately the global memory. National archives are the protectors of national identity. Without recognizing and strengthening national identity, societies lose their immunity and become as vulnerable as individuals susceptible to diseases.
National archives assist governments in making sound decisions based on historical records and evidence. They are truly the strong arm of governments. Records can be used as a robust and efficient database, especially in large-scale planning, decision-making by ministries and government organizations, and in national development programs. They also play a role in fostering information justice and creating opportunities for access to information for the research community across the country.
Position of National Library and Archives of I.R. Iran
We understand the special position of the National Library and Archives of Iran, which, with millions of valuable records and books, serves as an important and elevated information base in society. With this understanding, we aim to take significant and transformative steps in the future. Our effort will focus on enhancing international and regional activities, strengthening administrative power for the collection of national records, creating a national digital library and archive, and adopting new technology for organizing, processing, and disseminating information. Additionally, we will guide and lead activities related to books and records in the community, implement new plans and projects, reform laws and regulations, develop skilled human resources, and complete the construction and full equipping of both buildings.
These initiatives, supported by responsible officials and the dedicated, knowledgeable, and committed staff of the National Library and Archives of Iran, will lead to an information revolution in the country and the region. We hope that our collective efforts will result in the creation of a strong and powerful “national memory” to be utilized by scholars, researchers, and historians. This will help preserve our Islamic-national identity and align with the wise words of the Supreme Leader, who said: “The greatest disaster for a nation is when parts of its culture and civilization are gradually erased from its memory.”