A Glimpse at the Organization Of Libraries

Museums and Documentation Center Of

Astan - Quds - Razavi

The organization of libraries , museums and the documentation center of Asta- Qods -Razavi is considered as one of the most important treasures of the recorded knowledge of Iran and the world of Islam.

There is no information about the exact date of the establishment of the library of Asta- Quds - Razvi . Some consider the endowment date (974 AD) of the oldest Quran to the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS) by a person called Ali Ibn Simjour , as the year of establishment date of the library of Asta- Quds - Razvi (or recitation place of Quran). It can also be assumed from some extant documents concerning the endowments that the library was open to the public and used by them in 1457 AD . From about 1737 AD a special place was allocated to the library but a serious attention was paid to it in the early period of 20th century . However an increasing inclination of using the library by the researches and scholars , prompted a faster development and growth to the library .

Although the location of the library has been changed many times over years but it has always been remained in the vicinity of the Holy Shrine .

The construction of the present glorious building was completed in 1995 , with a constructed area of 28800 square meters and was opened to the public in April ,1995. Some of the outstanding features of this notable complex are as follows:

1 : Affiliatin of the complex to the Holy Shrine of His Holliness Imam Reza(AS) .

2 : Possesing very old manuscripts , artifacts and museum objects

(some of them are more than1000 years old) .

3 : Many exquisite copies of the Quran , manuscripts and printed books .

4 : A vast collection of printed books in different fields .

5 : A glorious and attracvtive building of the central library which is unique and exclusive in its kind in the history of Islamic art .

6 : Having sophisticated facilities and technologies .

7 : Holding a rich collections of documents and periodicals .

8 : unning different kinds of grand and fabulous museums . At the top of the organization , the managing board and then the general director of the organization are situated . The organization is comprised of the following parts : Three deputies , one administrative department , the office of public relations and several units of experts