East Azerbaijan Leads in Redesigning the Country’s Libraries

Asad Babaei, in an interview with the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Tabriz, referring to the redefinition of the role of libraries in the new structure of the country’s Public Libraries Institution, stated: With the changes made in the structure of public libraries, efforts have been made to ensure these places are in harmony with the needs of today’s society.

According to him, in the new plan, libraries have been transformed into a hub for cultural, social, and artistic interactions and will play an effective cultural role in society.

Babaei, by referring to East Azerbaijan’s successful experience in redesigning the Grand Central Library of Tabriz and Allameh Amini Library, and creating new spaces for group study, special sections for children and teenagers, cultural facilities, and modern technologies, considered this province a pioneer in redesigning the country’s libraries.

He further stated, referring to the fact that in cultural programs, less attention has been paid to the role of librarians in the prosperity of public libraries: The active presence of librarians has transformed public libraries into dynamic centers and shaped the cultural and social identity of these centers.

He introduced East Azerbaijan as one of the leading provinces in cultural and library initiatives and said: The wide range of audiences and innovative programs has enabled the province to achieve top positions in many national projects.

The Director-General of Public Libraries of East Azerbaijan further mentioned the extensive programs for Book Week, stating: Coinciding with the 33rd Book Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 965 cultural programs will be held across the province.

Referring to the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Ahar Library, he announced the commemoration of the scientific and cultural status of Haj Mohammad and Haj Hossein Nakhjavani, and said: The Nakhjavani brothers were influential philanthropists of Azerbaijan in the last century, and an important part of Tabriz’s cultural heritage is known by their names, to the extent that the foundation of the city’s central library was laid with their collected donations.

According to Asad Babaei, in the commemoration ceremony for the Nakhjavani brothers, the list of valuable donated manuscripts by the late Haj Hossein Nakhjavani will also be introduced.