(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - According to the Public Relations office of the National Library of Iran, Thomas Makowski introduced different parts of Polish national library in this session having visited the national library of Iran.

“The National Library of Poland is the central and one of the most important governmental cultural institutes of the country that is mainly in charge of protecting the written and electronic heritage of the country as well as collecting the works of Polish thinkers inside and outside Poland,” Makowski remarked.

During his lecture, Makowski also mentioned manuscripts kept in the national library of Poland and added: “Collections of eastern history and culture purchased by Polish nobility were dedicated to this library in the 19th century.”

He went on to explain that about nine millions and 263 thousand sources kept in this library are prepared via direct purchase, donations, or exchange of books with internal and foreign libraries.

Elaborating on historical, documentary and referential function of the national library of Poland, Makowski said the library encompasses two specialized institutes, one responsible for standardization of books and documents, and the other for the study of users and library members.

According to him, each year the library receives about 120 thousand visiting or online users while a newer website specialized for digital and electronic sources is under construction.

Director of National Library of Poland then invited experts of Iranian national library to attend the upcoming International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) to be held on August 9, 2012.

On Tuesday evening, Makowski also attended a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Dr Eshaq Salahi – director of National Library of Iran.

An MOU was initially inked in 2009 by Iranian and Polish parties and now Salahi and Makowski are to pursue common projects and further cooperation.

/106