Gholam-Reza Amirkhani, head of the National Library and Archives of Iran, announced that the organization is building ties with neighboring countries—including Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Armenia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan—as well as with European nations like France and Portugal.

Amirkhani said the library is also reviving its original building on Si-e-Tir Street, a nearly 90-year-old structure near National Museum of Iran and Foreign Ministry. The site had long been inactive or under other agencies’ control.

“With support from the Ministry of Science, we’re reopening this cultural hub,” Amirkhani said, adding that leftover equipment from Iran’s Science and Technology Museum will be moved into the space.

The reopening, he said, will expand public access to cultural and academic resources without needing to relocate physical archives—thanks to expanded digital infrastructure. “Users will be able to tap into thesis databases, e-books and journals online,” he noted.

Alongside digitization, physical collections will be maintained at the historic site, reinforcing the library’s cultural identity. “We want to offer a research-friendly space in the heart of Tehran,” he added.

Amirkhani also emphasized gender equity, noting the recent appointment of over 30 women to managerial posts. He said these appointments were based on merit, not gender. “Libraries globally rely on women experts in cataloging, research, and data processing,” he added.

The National Library has also returned to the international stage after years of relative isolation. It recently joined the BRICS national libraries summit in Moscow and renewed collaborations with the Russian State Library. Joint exhibitions are being planned, including events honoring poets Alexander Pushkin and Nezami Ganjavi.

Engagements with global bodies like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) have also picked up. Amirkhani confirmed Iran’s participation in IFLA 2025 in Kazakhstan. Topics like document preservation and access to knowledge were discussed in a recent online meeting with IFLA’s top leaders, Iran Daily reported.

On the regional front, the Saudi Foreign Ministry has requested to benefit from Iran’s experience in preserving Islamic manuscripts, Amirkhani revealed. India, too, has sent scholars to Tehran for training in Persian texts.

“Our expertise in restoration makes us one of the most trusted centers in the region,” he said.

The library is also involved in oral history projects, especially those tied to Iran’s 1980s war with Iraq—known locally as the “Sacred Defense.” Amirkhani recently published a book based on the life of Abdul Karim Biazar Shirazi, a prominent Islamic scholar.

Amirkhani cited a recent collaboration with a Belgian family who donated thousands of historical documents and images collected in Iran over a century ago. “It’s a clear example of how much Iranian heritage lies abroad,” he said.

As technology transforms the cultural landscape, Amirkhani stressed the importance of embracing new tools like artificial intelligence to showcase Iran’s heritage. “If we don’t lead the narrative, others might shape it for us—and not in our favor,” he warned.