The concept of ‘Library for All’ has taken shape at Rasht Central Library

Azadeh Nazarboland stated in an interview with a reporter from Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) on the sidelines of the inauguration of Rasht Central Library: We currently have 15 central libraries in operation, and Rasht Library is the largest library in northern Iran. Additionally, there are several unfinished central libraries with over 80% physical progress in the country.

She mentioned Arak, Kermanshah, Hormozgan, and Mazandaran central libraries among these projects.

Nazarboland continued: Currently, the Public Libraries Institution of the country has 4,229 service points, of which 116 service points are in Gilan province.

Nazarboland listed the diverse sections of Rasht Central Library, including sections for children, teenagers, seniors, visually impaired individuals, and a special section for mothers and childcare, as factors that can introduce this library as a model for fourth-generation libraries.

Explaining her statement that they are striving to move libraries away from their traditional state and transform them into cultural and social centers, she added: In new-generation libraries, including Rasht Central Library, new sections have been formed where social and human interactions occur, such as holding training classes and cultural gatherings, and the concept of universality for all gains meaning.

She said: I am very hopeful that Rasht Central Library can be introduced as a model for fourth-generation libraries.

The Secretary-General of the Public Libraries Institution added: The repository of Rasht Central Library has a capacity of 250,000 volumes, and currently, 90,000 volumes of books are available in this complex. Approximately 40,000 volumes of books have also been recently purchased and are being prepared and cataloged for placement in the repository.

Rasht Central Library has been constructed with a concrete frame across 6 floors, covering an area of 8,200 square meters. This library features various sections such as an amphitheater, book repository, separate study halls for men and women, meeting rooms, a special talking and Braille section, a reference books section, a lending section, a special and independent children’s section, a special section for seniors, periodicals, a special study section for researchers, the administrative section of the library, book restoration and preparation, a special databases section, a makerspace, a science and astronomy room, a reception hall, an exhibition gallery, and a prayer room.

According to the head of the General Department of Public Libraries of the province, with the operation of Rasht Central Library, the per capita study space in this city will increase from 41 cm to 128 cm, and in the province, the per capita study space will increase by 30%.