The National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran is an educational, research, scientific, and service institution whose statute has been approved by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament). The supreme authority of this organization is held by the President.
The official formation of the National Library dates back to 1937. In 1979, the Library Services Center was integrated into the National Library and in 1999, the Organization of Cultural Documents of the Islamic Revolution was also integrated Finally in 2002, with the approval of the Supreme Administrative Council, the National Library and the National Archives were merged to form the current organization. Today, this organization operates in two separate buildings: the “National Library of Iran” and the “National Archives of Iran”.
Article (1):
The National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran, referred to as the “National Library” in this statute, is an educational (scientific), research, and service institution operating under the direct supervision of the President. It is administered according to the provisions of this statute and is located in Tehran.
Article (2):
The National Library is a government institution, and its budget is allocated under the national budget as an independent item within the Presidential Administration of Iran.
Article (3) – Objectives:
- Collecting, preserving, organizing, and disseminating information related to written works (printed and manuscripts) and non-written materials produced in Iran or by Iranians abroad.
- Collecting, preserving, organizing, and disseminating information related to written works (printed and manuscripts) and non-written materials concerning Iranology and Islamology, particularly the Islamic Revolution led by Imam Khomeini (may his soul rest in peace).
- Collecting, preserving, organizing, and disseminating information related to written and non-written scientific, cultural, and technical works from other countries.
- Conducting research and scientific planning of library and information science and participating in relevant international studies and activities.
- Taking necessary measures and making necessary decisions to ensure accuracy, ease, and speed of research and studies across all fields with the aim of promoting national culture and conducting related research.
- Providing consultation, supervision, guidance, and technical services and planning and organizing the country’s libraries.
- Proposing the best methods for harmonizing the services and activities of public and specialized libraries to facilitate information exchange.
Article (4) – Library elements:
The pillars of the National Library are:
- The Board of Trustees
- The Head of the National Library.
Article (5):
The Board of Trustees of the National Library consists of the following members:
- The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Supreme head of the National Library).
- The Minister of Culture and Higher Education.
- The Minister of Education.
- The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
- Two experts in the field of books and librarianship: one nominated by the Minister of Culture and Higher Education, and the other by the Minister of Islamic Guidance, and subject to the approval of the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
- The Head of the National Library.
Note (1): The Chair of the Board of Trustees shall be the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Note (2): The Head of the National Library is appointed for a term of four years, based on the recommendation of the Chair and the approval of the Board of Trustees. Reappointment is permissible.
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 if passed by the absolute majority of the members present.
Article (7)
Duties of the Board of Trustees:
The responsibilities of the Board of Trustees include:
- Approving the administrative structure and organization of the National Library.
- Drafting and approving the financial, administrative, employment, and organizational regulations of the library upon the proposal of the Head of the National Library.
- Endorsing the Library’s budget and submitting it to the relevant authorities.
- Approving the mechanism for soliciting and accepting donations and financial contributions from individuals and entities.
- Approving the participation of the National Library representatives in international, intergovernmental, or regional conferences, congresses, exhibitions, and collaborative activities related to books and libraries.
- Reviewing the annual activity report of the Head of the National Library, making decisions on it and setting the overall policies of the library.
- Approving necessary internal regulations for the National Library.
- Proposing any amendments or revisions to the statute to the relevant authorities.
- Developing plans to mobilize resources for collecting statistics on the preservation of books, historical records, and manuscripts across all libraries (public and private) using advanced scientific methods in all libraries and information centers of the country and preventing their loss or theft.
- Planning to acquire two copies of all written and non-written works including books, periodicals, pamphlets, brochures, scientific and research reports, stamps, and similar items needed for the National Library.
- Taking necessary steps to fill gaps in the National Library’s collection by acquiring duplicates, gifts or exchanges from public and private libraries, including books, copies, microfilms, or microfiches.
- Approving the appointment and dismissal of the Head of the National Library.
Article (8):
The Duties and Authorities of the Head of the National Library
The Head of the National Library shall:
- Manage the library’s affairs with the resolution of the Board of Trustees.
- Oversee the proper implementation of the statute and regulations and resolutions of the Board of Trustees.
- Propose financial, transactional, administrative, employment, and organizational regulations to the Board of Trustees.
- Present the annual activity report and progress update to the Board of Trustees.
- Invite members of the Board of Trustees to meetings as outlined in Article 5 of the statute.
- Propose extraordinary sessions of the Board of Trustees when necessary.
- Sign all contracts and financial records and open accounts in banks, authorize signatories, and approve expenditures within the relevant regulations and the approved budget.
- Propose the annual budget of the National Library to the Board of Trustees.
- Represent the National Library in all administrative and judicial forums, with the authority to appoint a legal counsel to defend the rights of the library.
- Propose internal regulations of the National Library to the Board of Trustees for approval.
- Appoint and dismiss all National Library staff based on the approved organizational structure.
- Fulfill other responsibilities assigned by the Board of Trustees.
This statute, consisting of eight articles and three notes, was approved by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) in an open session on Wednesday, October 24, 1990, and ratified by the Guardian Council on November 7, 1990.
The law of adding an article as article (9) to the Statute of the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Additional Article: The following article is added under the title of Article (9) to the statute of the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Article (9):
All movable assets, the main building of the National Library (located on Imam Khomeini Street), assets, and liabilities of the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the time of this statute’s enactment are hereby transferred from the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education to the National Library.
Note: Other buildings that are currently used by the National Library of Iran shall remain under the ownership of the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education but will be fully at the disposal of the National Library, along with all existing facilities, until the completion of the library’s new building.
This single article, along with one note, as an amendment to the Statute of the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was passed in an open session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) on Sunday, June 9, 1991, and ratified by the Constitutional Council on June 16, 1991.