Written by Mir Salar Razavi (2024)

INtroduction

The National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran (NLAI) is one of the most prominent libraries in the country, located in Tehran, with branches in twelve other provinces. Originally established in 1937 as the National Library of Iran, it merged with the National Archives in 2002 to form the current NLAI. Although the two institutions now fall under the same entity, they remain in separate buildings close to each other. The National Library of Iran (Kitabkhana-yi Milli-yi Iran) houses printed materials, periodicals, dissertations, and manuscripts, while the Treasury of National Archives of Iran (Ganjina-yi Asnad-i Milli-yi Iran) contains the country's archives.

The library's reading rooms are open to members daily from 8am to 9pm, closing only four days a year. However, the manuscript division and the archive building operate from Saturday to Wednesday, the weekdays according to the Iranian calendar, from 8am to 3:30 pm.

Location: Google Maps

GOING THERE

The easiest way to reach both buildings is via the Shahid Haghani Station on Line 1 of the Tehran Metro. After getting off, you can either walk for about 25 min. to reach the library or take the library shuttle from the station. If you want to go by taxi, you can use taxi applications such as Tapsi or Snap. You must have an Iranian number, but you can pay in cash, so there is no need to have an Iranian bank account to use either application.

Make sure to enter and exit through the eastern gate of the building. The western gate is primarily for staff members, and you are not allowed to enter through it.

GETTING IN

To enter the library, you must have your physical passport, institutional ID, or a document issued by the government, embassies, or foreign institutions with a collaborative agreement with the NLAI (a list of eligible organizations can be found here). It's a good idea to carry a few copies of these documents, as you may be asked to provide one at each step. You can also contact them (manuscripts@nlai.ir) in advance to confirm whether your documents are sufficient or if any additional paperwork is required.

When you arrive, approach the entrance gate and inform the security personnel that you are there to work with the library's material for your research. They will check your documents and issue a guest card, which you will use to enter. Take the stairs in the yard and head up; when you reach the courtyard pool, the building to your left is where you need to go. You must store your bag in a private locker and you are only allowed to bring a laptop and papers (notebooks, books, food, or drinks are not permitted). The manuscript division is downstairs, and you'll need your guest ID to enter.

Finding your material

Unfortunately, the library's main catalog on the website is inaccessible without an Iranian VPN. To find materials, you need to use a VPN with an Iranian IP address or rely on printed catalogs. You can also access the catalog of digitized items online. Additionally, the library offers a robust internal catalog on-site that you can use once you have arrived.

Ordering your material

You are required to fill out this online form upon arrival at the manuscripts division. To save time, it's advisable to complete it in advance and bring a printed copy.

Ordering scans

If the manuscripts you need are digitized, you'll be able to access the digital versions on-site. If they haven't been digitized yet, you can place an order for digitization, which may take up to two weeks. However, it may be possible to access the physical manuscripts with permission from the head of the manuscript division. It’s recommended to contact them in advance (manuscripts@nlai.ir) and regularly check the online digital library (see here for manuscripts; here for lithographs) to see if the manuscript you're looking for is already digitized. While you might not be able to download the digitized manuscripts, you can always view them online.

Food and well-being

Many graduate students use the library for their research, so it tends to be crowded most days. For lunch, you can dine in the cafeteria, which mainly serves Iranian dishes, or visit the café for sandwiches and snacks. Both the cafeteria and café are located outside the manuscript division building.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS

The library is situated in a relatively isolated area, but there is one large nearby building: the Tehran Book Garden. It has a bookstore and various recreational activities that you might enjoy after a day of work at the library.