3 Mobile Libraries to be Launched in Hamadan Province / Increase of Mobile Libraries to 5 Vehicles

Mehdi Karimi, in an interview with the correspondent of Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Hamadan, stated that currently there are two mobile libraries in Hamadan: one in Hamadan city operating in urban areas, and the other in Asadabad, operating in rural areas.

He added that mobile libraries are also planned to operate as single vehicles in Famenin, Tuyserkan, and Razan. These libraries will implement cultural programs in deprived areas lacking cultural centers, with activities including lending books, distributing books, and introducing books.

The Director-General of Public Libraries of Hamadan Province pointed out that cultural and book-reading competitions are among other programs of the mobile libraries. He clarified that the Asadabad mobile library started operating in September this year and now covers five villages, receiving a good reception.

He added: In the Hamadan mobile library, the librarian and driver are separate, but in the other cities, drivers have undergone the necessary training and provide services as librarians.

He stated that the goal of mobile libraries is universal access to books and libraries. He said: Given that a percentage of the country’s regions do not have access to libraries, we must either build libraries (which currently lacks the necessary budget) or send books to various locations in a mobile format.

Karimi added: Building libraries in villages with a population of over 2,500 people is permissible, but in sparsely populated villages, it is not possible to build libraries, and mobile libraries must be used.