Café Libraries Expand in Ilam

Somayyeh Heydari, in an interview with the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Ilam, stated that efforts are being made to bring the Directorate General’s planned programs for Book and Reading Week to the audience through new and creative methods. She announced that the main ceremony of the country’s Public Libraries Institution will be held on November 19th, where three books endorsed by the Supreme Leader will be unveiled in the presence of the Political, Security, and Social Deputy Governor of Ilam.

Heydari, referring to the expansion of café libraries in the province, added: “Today, café libraries and book houses play an important role in indirectly promoting reading culture, because even if people initially enter these spaces for other purposes, they gradually become interested in reading and buying books.”

The Director General of Public Libraries of Ilam province noted: “This year’s slogan is ‘Read for Iran,’ which reminds us of the importance of reading for the country’s elevation and honor. Books are our cultural capital, and we must contribute to the culture of reading wherever we are, because a book-loving society will be an informed and progressive society.”

She continued: “The ceremonies for honoring librarians, promoters, writers, poets, and activists in the field of book and reading culture, unveiling new publications by local authors, recognizing top readers and librarians, visiting the families of martyrs, donating books to various target communities, and more, are among the programs of this Directorate General during Book and Reading Week.”

Heydari said: “The promotion of book and reading culture should become a priority and a main concern for these dear ones, so that they can give more material and spiritual value to libraries, librarians, and books with a special perspective, and allocate more time to resolve the issues of this valuable institution, so that we can succeed in promoting the general culture of society by creating active and dynamic libraries.”

Currently, 58 public libraries are active across the province, including 6 collaborative libraries, 1 mobile library, 15 rural libraries, and 36 urban libraries.