Different Units And Departments of the Central Library And Center of Documentations of Astan Quds Razavi
The Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi is one of the precious treasuries of the recorded culture in Iran, and the world of Islam. The high knowledge, mysticism, art, faith, literature, love, wisdom and endeavours of thousands of the most virtuous and righteous people of Iran have been gathered in the course of successive centuries in this place of descending angels from the heaven.
Euch one of the distinguished specialities of this culturul complex has exactly played a role in the reputation of this center.
Some of these specialities are mentioned in the following items:
1: This complex belongs to the Astan Quds Razavi-Astan Quds Razavi, in fact belongs to Imam Reza(A.S.)-.
2: Many of the manuscripts, art works and museum pieces preserved in the library have a long history. Some of them have a life over one thousand years.
3: Numerous manuscripts of the glorious Quran, and other precious copies.
4: Various and wide collections of printed copies in different fields of the Islamic and Human sciences.
5: The glorious and magnificent building of the library which is one of the matchless Islamic architecture art works, still remaining firm, has been constructed during the glorious era of Imam Khomeini(R.A.) - the late founder of the Islamic Revoulution-.
6: Modern and advanced equipment, prepared to increase the quality and quantity of services rendered by the library, preserve and secure documents, manuscripts and precious objects kept in the library.
These specifications and many of the other attributes of the library including: variety of services, high capacity, lack of limitations and obstacles on the way of granting services, etc, have caused many of the scholars, students, students of Islamic learnings and other distinguished erudites and educated scientists of the Islamic society, to refer to this holy cultural center.
We are to acquaint you, the respected, briefly with this grand cultural center.
The history of this library has been unified with different historical ups and downs in Khorasan province, and the holy city of Mashhad.
The first steps for establishing this sacred manifestation have been taken by the benevolence, and true faith of the unknown sincere devotees and dedicators about six centuries ago. Then some other factors including: Paying attention to the religious learning's students residing in the holy city of Mashhad, the wise and far-sighted pilgrims and also the auspices of the servants and lovers of Holy Shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.), have caused the library to be flourished and expanded during these centuries.
Although the place of the library's building has been changed several times but it has always been situated in the adjacent to the Holy Shrine, and just inside the area of the sacred places of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza(A.S.).
A special place was allocated to the library since 1150 (A.H.) to the 14th century. But, the serious attention to the place and organization of the library, dates back to the beginning of the 14th century of Hijri Shamsi. This factor is actually the most important reason caused to expedite the development process of the library. Ever-increasing the numbers of scholars and book readers who paid attention to this center is another motive.
The first independent and grand building of the library was constructed in 1370 A.H, in the north east of Imam Khomeini courtyard (Museum courtyard).
The library was then transfered to a newer and broader building situated in the upstair of Museum of A.Q.R, placed in the east side of the previous courtyard. This library had been situated in this courtyard till 1415 A.H.
The project of constructing the present magnificent monument was commenced by the order of Ayatullah Wais Tabasi - the respected representative of Wali Faqih (Paramount leader)in Khorasan province, and the grand custodian of Astan Quds Razavi- in 1402 A.H, and ended in 1414 A.H. in an area of about 30000 square meters. This building came into use in the second half of 1415 A.H. Finally, the Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi was inaugurated during a glorious ceremony attended by Hojjatul Islam Wal Moslemin Hashemi Rafsanjani - the then president of the Islamic Republic of Iran -, and a large number of the cultural persons, researchers and a few numbers of librarians on 22nd. Bahman Mah 1374 Hijri Shamsi, coinciding with the holy birthday of the Eighth Imam of Shi'ite Muslims (A.S.).