Iran’s National Library Seeks Enhanced Collaboration with IFLA for Advanced Digitization and Document Preservation

The National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) is actively seeking to enhance its collaboration with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in key areas such as digitization and document preservation. This strategic move aims to foster a more robust partnership that benefits both organizations.

During a recent virtual meeting, Gholamreza Amirkhani, the head of NLAI, engaged with Vicki McDonald, the President of IFLA, and Sharon Memis, IFLA’s Secretary General. The discussions highlighted Iran’s pivotal role in the library and information science sector, along with its commitment to advancing international cooperation.

Key points discussed in the meeting included:

• Iran’s participation in the forthcoming IFLA World Library and Information Congress scheduled for Kazakhstan in 2025.
• Expansion of research on artificial intelligence (AI) within libraries.
• Collaborative efforts in digitization and document preservation.

Amirkhani emphasized the historical significance of the NLAI, stating, “Iran’s National Library is a cultural institution with an 87-year history that has maintained continuous engagement with the IFLA since the 1960s.” He further elaborated on the various forms of collaboration established over the years, including:

• Regular participation in IFLA congresses.
• Translation and publication of essential IFLA articles into Persian since the 1990s.
• Hosting several regional IFLA meetings in Tehran.

Highlighting the NLAI’s status in West Asia, Amirkhani noted that the institution is academically active, with over 30 faculty members and researchers contributing to its research division. This positions the NLAI as one of the leading cultural organizations in both Iran and the West Asian region.

Amirkhani also touched on the NLAI’s adherence to international publishing standards, stating, “For nearly 30 years, all books published in Iran must first receive a CIP (Cataloging in Publication) record from our institution.” Additionally, he mentioned that the National Library of Iran holds one of the world’s largest collections of Persian and Arabic manuscripts.

Expressing Iran’s eagerness to strengthen its ties with IFLA, Amirkhani stated, “This year, Iran has the opportunity for a more significant presence at the upcoming IFLA conference in Kazakhstan. Visa challenges that previously hindered participation have now been resolved, allowing for broader engagement.”

Amirkhani also underscored the importance of collaboration in emerging fields, revealing, “We are currently conducting research on artificial intelligence and the future of knowledge management. Some of our findings have already been published as scientific papers, and we are eager to share these insights in upcoming IFLA congresses.”

In conclusion, he reiterated Iran’s commitment to digitization and document preservation. He expressed hope that with the necessary resources, Iran would gain IFLA’s support to enhance these efforts and play a more active role in international collaborations.

Vicki McDonald, in her remarks, expressed satisfaction with the meeting, stating, “We appreciate Iran’s active role in translating IFLA articles into Persian. We are also delighted that Iran will be able to participate in IFLA’s 2025 conference in Kazakhstan, especially since it was unable to do so last year.”

McDonald also mentioned the upcoming IFLA centennial celebration in 2027, anticipating closer collaboration with Iranian colleagues for this significant event. She remarked, “AI is becoming a central topic in the field of librarianship, and it is essential for libraries to thoroughly examine its implications. We are very interested in receiving Iran’s research on AI and learning from its findings.”

Additionally, McDonald encouraged Iranian professionals to nominate themselves for IFLA committees, particularly those focusing on AI and digitization, highlighting the significant opportunities these areas present for Iran.

Sharon Memis also addressed the importance of Iran’s involvement in international library and digitization projects. She stated, “IFLA’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Committee represents Western Asia and North Africa, offering an excellent opportunity for Iran to collaborate in areas such as digitization, preservation, and archiving.”

At the close of the meeting, McDonald commended Amirkhani’s expertise in librarianship and formally invited him to attend the upcoming IFLA meeting in Kazakhstan. She concluded, “We look forward to enhancing cooperation with Iran, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and digitization. If possible, we would love to benefit from Iran’s valuable experience in these areas.”

This meeting marks a significant step forward in fostering international collaboration in the library sector, emphasizing the importance of digitization and the role of artificial intelligence in modern librarianship.