Necessity of Organizing Historical Documents of Lorestan in the National Library / 13 Thousand Pages of Provincial Documents Registered

According to the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Khorramabad, Atefeh Zarei, on Sunday afternoon, at the first meeting of the Lorestan National Documents and Library Council, referred to the National Library as the country’s ‘mother library’ and stated: This center is obliged to collect all published works in Iran and make them available to researchers.

The director of the National Documents and Library Center of the Western Region, referring to the status of national documents, called any neglect towards them a disregard for history and the efforts of ancestors, adding: Future generations must judge history based on documented evidence, not undocumented narratives.

Destruction of government documents without coordination with the Documents Organization is a crime

She also warned that any destruction or obliteration of government documents without coordination with the Documents Organization is considered a crime, and according to the Islamic Penal Code, the perpetrator will be sentenced to imprisonment from six months to two years.

Zarei stated that the regional management of the western country started its work in 1371 (1992-1993) and covers the provinces of Hamedan, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and Ilam, saying: Documents are divided into two categories: public and governmental; public documents include letters, resolutions, genealogies, manuscripts, lithographs, and audio documents, while governmental documents include correspondence, reports, charts, book and non-book resources, as well as Sacred Defense documents.

Referring to the duties of the National Documents Council of Iran, she considered this council the only official authority for approving the country’s documentary regulations and guidelines, adding: Experts, after evaluation, disinfect, catalog, and register the documents, and then store them digitally forever. Training secretariat and archive officials, periodic inspection, and supervision of the implementation of standard directives are also among the organization’s main duties.

Zarei emphasized that in Lorestan, there are 57 active, 7 semi-active, and 12 inactive bodies in the field of documents, stating: Continuous cooperation of these bodies in evaluating documents strengthens the country’s organizational memory.

She also considered public manuscripts and printed versions as valuable heritage, some of which date back over a hundred years, and said: Each manuscript tells the story of a family, a tribe, and a part of the history of the Iranian nation, and must be preserved under standard conditions.

Publication of 248 Book Titles in 1403 in Lorestan

Zarei, referring to Lorestan province’s publication statistics in recent years, stated: In 1403 (2024-2025), 248 book titles were published, including 202 original works, 16 translations, and 29 first editions and reprints.

Publication of 142 Book Titles in the First Half of 1404 in Lorestan

She continued: In the first half of 1404 (2025-2026), 142 book titles were registered, including 31 original works, 11 translations, and 16 reprints. During this period, over four thousand copies of books were also donated to various cities in Lorestan.

Zarei added: Extensive cooperation between public library institutions and schools in the province has led to the donation of thousands of books and magazines to Lorestan’s libraries and schools; a process that indicates serious attention to cultural development and public access to reliable resources.

The director of the National Documents and Library of the Western Region also addressed the topic of oral history, stating: One of the important actions in the second phase of knowledge management is the compilation of oral history of executive bodies and the identification of the province’s luminaries. So far, ten interviews have been conducted with influential personalities in Lorestan and registered in the National Library database, which can lead to the production of books and scientific and cultural events.

Over 13 Thousand Pages of Documents from Lorestan are in the National Library’s Possession

Zarei said: So far, over 13,600 pages of documents, including photos and records related to Lorestan’s families, have been entrusted to the National Library; these documents reflect a part of the province’s historical and social identity and must be saved from destruction and being stockpiled in organizations.

She offered suggestions for improving the status of the province’s documents and resources, including clarifying the fate of governmental correspondence and preventing the destruction of historical documents, organizing visual and audio resources and identifying photos and records, holding training courses for departments and institutions on resource preservation and cataloging, and continuing the cooperation of publishers and the press in depositing works with the National Library.

Zarei emphasized: Domestic and international researchers make the National Library their first destination, and this center is ready to organize information and documents with the necessary tools and equipment. Therefore, it is necessary for all departments and institutions to seriously cooperate in this endeavor so that Lorestan’s historical and cultural assets remain a legacy for present and future generations of Iran.

Book Production is an Ecosystem with the Participation of All Sectors

The Deputy Political, Security, and Social Governor of Lorestan also emphasized at this meeting that this council must operate in accordance with the directives of the National Documents Council in the province and play an important role in organizing Lorestan’s documents and libraries.

Saeed Pourali, referring to the importance of book production, called it an ecosystem that requires the participation of various sectors.

He added: The National Documents and Library Center is the infrastructure of national memory and places a heavy responsibility on us in the western part of the country to prepare for future generations.

Pourali considered the presence of this center in Lorestan important from legal, security, and cultural dimensions and introduced it as part of knowledge governance.

He said: Lorestan is a province rich in documents and cultural assets, to which even the National Museum of Iran has dedicated a special section.

The Deputy Governor of Lorestan emphasized the necessity of extensive public awareness for document preservation and said: 76 organizations have been active during the evaluation, and other organizations must also get involved. The Audit Court has also made good follow-ups in this regard.

He called the compilation of the Sacred Defense Encyclopedia in ten volumes a great step and praised the activities of the Iranology and Lorestanology Center in collecting historical documents and resources.

Also, the formation of a cultural committee by the consultative assembly to collect information on historical documents and books of the province was among the other announced measures.

Pourali considered the formation of a publishers’ cooperative a valuable step and said: In this regard, we support publishers, authors, and active figures in the book sector, and necessary measures will be taken for purchasing books from publishers.

He also announced the upcoming introduction of a Lorestan cultural gift package including books and said: The Lorestanology and Iranology Foundation should generate more dynamism in the field of documents and libraries in the western part of the country. We are also fully prepared to implement the document law.

Preservation of Lorestan Documents; A Necessity for Safeguarding Cultural Identity and Transferring Heritage to Future Generations

Nahid Parvizpour emphasized the importance of preserving and safeguarding the historical and public documents of Lorestan province as the written memory of the Iranian nation, adding: Government and public documents are a bridge between the past and the future.

She said: These works are not only a reflection of the actions, commitments, ownerships, and beliefs of individuals and institutions but also a clear testament to the history, culture, and civilization of each region.

The Director-General of Social Affairs of Lorestan Governor’s Office, referring to the global registration of Khorramabad’s prehistoric sites, added: This registration shows that Lorestan, as one of the oldest human habitats, holds a special place in cultural heritage and ethnic identity. The presence of major prehistoric and ancient civilizations in this region has doubled the importance of preserving existing documents and records.

Parvizpour said: Lorestan has always been a crossroads of tribes and the origin of numerous clans, which has led to the formation of valuable documents in various fields; from government decrees and taxes to marriage and divorce deeds, public commitments, and other social documents that are now available to researchers and enthusiasts.

She emphasized: Preserving these documents is not merely protecting a few sheets of paper, but safeguarding our culture and civilization. These works are a trust in our hands that must be passed on to future generations. Negligence in this regard will be an irreparable historical loss.

According to IBNA, several activists in the publishing sector, as well as those who donated documents to the National Library and deposited publications in Lorestan, were honored by the National Documents and Library Center – Western Region Management at this session.