Necessity of Adding 3 Mobile Libraries to Qazvin’s Public Libraries

According to the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Qazvin, Mahdieh Sadat Ghafelebashchi, on Wednesday afternoon during a press conference, elaborated on the vision and plans of this institution for enhancing cultural levels and universal access to resources, and announced the implementation of innovative projects and the development of physical infrastructure.

The head of Qazvin Province’s Public Libraries, referring to the importance of expanding cultural services in remote and underserved areas, deemed the development of mobile libraries as one of the priority programs of the province’s public libraries institution. She stated: Mobile libraries can play an effective role in promoting reading culture in inaccessible and deprived regions.

She emphasized that access to books should not be blocked anywhere in the province, stating: With the activity of mobile libraries, underserved villages will also benefit from library services. Each mobile library has the capacity to cover between 10 to 30 surrounding villages, thus acting as an ambassador of knowledge and wisdom in these areas.

The Director-General of Qazvin Public Libraries added: Currently, the per capita number of public libraries in Qazvin province is 42, placing the province 18th in the country. Based on population and statistics, the province’s actual need is approximately 120 new libraries. However, the expansion of the mobile library fleet can compensate for a significant portion of this shortage.

She referred to the comparative status of provinces, saying: According to statistical tables, Zanjan and Hamadan provinces, with similar cultural and geographical contexts, are ahead of Qazvin, while Tehran, Alborz, Qom, and Gilan provinces are behind us. Therefore, the situation in Qazvin province is promising, and by strengthening mobile libraries, a better position in cultural access indicators can be achieved.

She announced the necessity of creating three new mobile libraries in the near future, adding: The addition of equipped library trucks and fleets to the province will be an effective aid in covering rural areas and promoting reading. Currently, public reception of these services has been very positive, and mobile libraries, as one of the institution’s successful projects, have gained the attention of residents in underserved areas.

Ghafelebashchi, referring to Qazvin province’s Hodhod 55 mobile library, stated: This library is the first environmental-friendly mobile library in the country, which has received good public reception in areas lacking libraries since its inception.

She said: Projects such as book donation and the “Ketabchin” scheme are also pursued with the aim of updating resources and increasing public participation in equipping libraries. We believe that mobile libraries are a symbol of cultural justice and equal access to knowledge throughout the country.

Ghafelebashchi, emphasizing a quality-oriented approach to service delivery, announced the addition of two new library projects by the end of the current year, which promises to expand access to cultural spaces in Qazvin province.

The head of Qazvin Province’s General Department of Libraries further elaborated on the measures taken for the renovation and development of library services, stating: We are striving to transform libraries into dynamic centers that respond to the daily needs of society. In this regard, new services such as the establishment of dedicated study halls and VIP rooms have been added to the range of library services. These spaces are designed to provide a quiet and specialized environment for study, especially for students, researchers, and pupils.

Regarding the details of these services, she added: Individual study rooms, which can be considered a type of dedicated study hall, have been made available to applicants at a reasonable and logical rate. The reception for this initiative has been so strong that sometimes we see demand for using these spaces until late at night. This indicates society’s need for study environments that can provide the necessary focus and tranquility for users.

Emphasizing the key role of children and adolescents in shaping the cultural future of society was another main point of the head of Qazvin Province’s General Department of Public Libraries’ remarks. She stated in this regard: Our role in the library institution goes beyond lending books. We are responsible for playing an effective role in public cultural development and promoting a reading culture. Among these, we have a special focus on two age groups: children and adolescents. Attracting this age group, along with families, is one of our priorities. The goal is for families, children, and adolescents to enter the library space together and gain a shared reading experience.

In response to a question about the physical development of libraries, the head of Qazvin Province’s General Department of Libraries explained the institution’s approach as follows: While there might be a perceived need to increase the number of libraries in some areas, our approach is primarily based on enhancing the quality and depth of services in existing libraries. Instead of scattering resources and services, we prefer to concentrate on service points and upgrade services in current libraries so that a library becomes a comprehensive and responsive place for all segments of society.

She emphasized: We welcome all individuals and diverse tastes. A library should be a place for everyone, regardless of any gender, age, religious, educational, or viewpoint discrimination. This principle is the foundation of our activities in the library institution.

Ghafelebashchi stated regarding services to deprived areas: Sending book couriers to deprived areas is one of our programs. However, in Qazvin city, traditionally defined deprived areas with very difficult access are less common. But by using mobile libraries, we ensure that access to books and cultural resources is not blocked for anyone.

The head of Qazvin Province’s General Department of Libraries announced the addition of two new library projects to the province’s total libraries by the end of the current year and expressed hope that these projects would become operational by Fajr Decade.

Ghafelebashchi explained: One of these projects is the Qashlaq City Public Library, whose construction began in 2019 and is being built on 300 square meters across two floors. The second project is also in its final stages and will be inaugurated this year in Sharifabad city, Alborz County.

In another part of her speech, she provided overall statistics on Qazvin province’s libraries, stating: Qazvin province currently has 42 institutional libraries and 17 participatory libraries, totaling 59 libraries. With the inauguration of the two new libraries, we will witness an expansion of cultural infrastructure in the province.

Ghafelebashchi announced the number of Qazvin public library members as 60,964, of whom 43% are male and 57% are female, and 28% of members (17,302 people) are children, a figure that needs to increase.

The head of Qazvin Province’s General Department of Public Libraries stated: The per capita library space in Qazvin public libraries ranks 18th in the country, with the current per capita being 4.63 square meters per 100 people.

She reminded: The membership rate in Qazvin public libraries is 4.79 per 100 people, which is higher than the national average (3.95), placing us 10th in the country.

This cultural official further referred to and explained the topic of promoting reading among various segments of society: One of our most important concerns is creating a bond between people and books. In this regard, and considering the broadcast of the series “Barmad-e Khomar”, we have organized a reading competition centered on the popular novel “Barmad-e Khomar”, a significant portion of which was filmed in Qazvin, and fortunately, this event received a very warm reception.

Ghafelebashchi considered the library institution as an underprivileged entity in the country and Qazvin province, saying: Fortunately, in all fields, benefactors come to the aid of the public sector, assisting the government in areas like school construction, healthcare services, and mosque construction. We hope that philanthropists will also give special attention to the field of books and reading.

The head of Qazvin Province’s General Department of Public Libraries stated: We face a shortage of resources in the educational and entrance exam books section. Due to the high price of educational books, students generally refer to libraries for resources, and we hope that with the cooperation of philanthropists, we can provide more services to visitors in this regard.

Ghafelebashchi invited all people of Qazvin province to donate their unused books to libraries and added: I hope that with the help of media and extensive public awareness, we can institutionalize this culture in Qazvin province and even across the country. In my opinion, most families have at least several unused books at home, and if these books are donated to public libraries, we will witness a significant transformation in the book supply sector.

She stated: Updating library resources is one of our main concerns, which we are trying to achieve despite limited financial resources.

The head of Qazvin Province’s Public Libraries also announced: Since the beginning of this year, 287,586 copies of books have been borrowed from Qazvin Province’s public libraries.

She further announced the launch of the National Hamkhan Award; “Iran Public Library Badge” and the implementation of the “Nationwide Membership” scheme, stating: These programs are held with the aim of identifying successful library service models, strengthening promotional activities, and facilitating citizens’ access to cultural services, coinciding with the commemoration of Book Week in 2025.

Ghafelebashchi explained: It has been announced in the call for the “Hamkhan” award that the badge will be awarded to libraries as well as natural and legal persons who have demonstrated “creative and effective performance” in one of the library service areas at the community level.

The period for evaluable activities has been set from October 2024 to September 2025, and submission of precise documentation via the form in the Platform system is mandatory. The judging process for the badges will be handled by a committee comprising selected librarians and experts in the field of public libraries.

This cultural official explained: Applicant libraries can participate in one of the following categories: service to children, service to adolescents, service to the elderly, service to special groups, user education and empowerment, service to families, etc.

Ghafelebashchi stated: The Public Libraries Institution of the country has initiated the “Nationwide Membership Scheme” to provide free membership opportunities for all citizens in public libraries. This scheme is implemented at two levels: “Basic” and “Advanced.”

She concluded her remarks by saying: In basic nationwide membership, citizens, by registering their national ID code, date of birth, and mobile number on the samanpl.ir/reg system and receiving a confirmation code, become free, lifelong members of the country’s public libraries. At this level, it is possible to borrow one book and benefit from basic library services, including the children’s section and participation in cultural programs. In advanced nationwide membership, applicants, by registering similar information and selecting a target library and paying its annual membership fee, become members of the selected library for one year. Advanced members can borrow up to five books and benefit from more services such as diverse study spaces, lockers for members’ belongings, and other special facilities.