Statements in Meeting with Library Officials and Librarians

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters of the book. This session is entirely cultural; my primary intention in creating this session and meeting with you, dear brothers and sisters, is to express gratitude for the efforts of library officials and librarians across the country for the significant and important work they do, and to emphasize the respect for books and reading and the importance of books in society.

As we progress, our need for books will increase. It is a mistake to think that with the emergence of new and novel mass communication tools, books will become isolated. Books are gaining more importance in human society day by day. The most important art of new tools is to easily and conveniently convey the content and essence of books. Nothing can replace the place of books.

One point is that if we are seeking to enhance our collective thoughts, experiences, tastes, and arts, we must increase our connection with books. A book is a collection of the products of a thought, an idea, a taste, an art; it is a collection of the findings of one or several individuals. We must greatly value the opportunity to benefit from the products of diverse human thoughts; this is what books offer us, this is the gift of books to us. Therefore, a book is a valuable phenomenon and entity; it has always been this way and will continue to be so in the future. Thus, we must pay attention to books.

Attention to books is fundamentally tied to attention to reading. The tradition of reading must be promoted in society. This is the benefit of literacy. The effect of movements and campaigns in countries to eradicate illiteracy is precisely this: to enable people to utilize this collection that offers the thoughts, tastes, and talents of others; this is not possible without reading. In my opinion, one of the worst and most damaging forms of laziness is laziness in reading books. The more one indulges in this laziness, the more it increases. Reading must be promoted in society; this task falls upon all the institutions responsible in this area, starting from elementary schools, where programs should be in place to habituate our children to reading from an early age; reading with contemplation, reading with research and reflection—up to mass communication organizations, broadcasting, and various advertising media.

One of the significant and important tasks at the societal level is to make reading campaigns widespread. Today, we see that for trivial goods that have no impact on people's lives, their owners engage in strange and colorful advertisements; mass communication organizations, the press, and broadcasting disseminate them; while these products are unnecessary, they are often superfluous in life; sometimes their existence is beneficial, and sometimes it is not even beneficial; it may even be harmful. The magnificent product of books, the value of books, deserves to be advertised; those who can read books should be encouraged; we must make this a habit.

And I must say; we are not satisfied with the reality that exists in this area in our country, in our society. Yes, it is true; today the volume of books produced has changed significantly compared to the past; sometimes several times more books are published, or the print runs of books increase; however, this is not enough; this is very little for our country. It should be such that in the basket of consumables of families, books should have a significant share, and books should be bought for reading, not for decorating the library room and showing off to others. This is another point regarding the issue of reading in society.

One issue is the matter of libraries. Well, respected librarians take on significant responsibilities in this area and are the custodians and managers. I have observed the role of librarians closely since my adolescence when visiting libraries. We would go to the library of the Astan Quds Razavi and see what role the librarians there play, what efforts they make, and what dedication they show. The act of librarianship is a prominent cultural human endeavor; however, a librarian is not merely someone who brings and hands out books; a librarian can be a source and reference for guiding visitors to the library.

One of the important tasks is to habituate the mind to order in study. Sometimes, if the visit to a book is placed in its proper context; that is, if prior to this book, other books related to this subject have been read, then studying this book will have a much greater and deeper impact than if this book is viewed without considering what is related to it. Well, this requires guidance.

Some minds are fond of books; however, they prefer easy books, books that do not require thinking. This is not a flaw; this is also reading books, we do not negate it; but better than this method of reading is that a person can mix easy books—let's say novels, memoirs, easy historical books—with books that require thinking and study; these types of books should be included in the reading category. We must habituate the mind to be contemplative, to be precise; the mind must work, engage actively when encountering books; this requires guidance.

One of the things we need today is study programs for different demographics. It often happens that we encourage young people and adolescents to read; they come and say, 'Sir, what should we read?' This question does not have a single answer; it likely has multiple answers. The group responsible for books—whether in the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance or in the library system—must work seriously on this issue; in various sectors, for different demographics, in diverse ways, they should create appropriate study paths; first this book, then this book, then this book. When a young person, an adolescent, or someone who has not had much familiarity with books enters, moves forward, and gets started, they will often find their own path. This is another point.

Another point is the selection and choice of books. A book is the product of the thought, brain, experience, art, and taste of someone or some people who have prepared and produced this book. Not every book is necessarily useful, and not every book is non-harmful. Some books are harmful. The group responsible for books cannot rely on the idea that we leave it free for them to choose; they cannot introduce every harmful book into the reading market—just as the authorities do not easily and without restriction make poisonous drugs, dangerous drugs, or narcotics available to everyone; they keep them out of reach; sometimes they issue warnings—this is a spiritual nourishment; if it is corrupt, if it is poisonous, if it is harmful, we, as publishers, as librarians, as library custodians, or in any capacity related to books, do not have the right to provide this to individuals who are unaware and unmindful; this has a specific chapter in Islamic jurisprudence. Therefore, care must be taken. Good books, healthy books must be made available. More attention should also be paid to ensuring that the book can provide intellectual development and offer the right path. Thus, alongside study programs, attention to this point is also necessary.

As the Iranian nation and as a Muslim nation, our relationship with books is fundamental, deep, and ancient. We have not become acquainted with the concept of books today or yesterday. In our country, especially after the spread of Islam, there have been vast libraries, scientific collections, and valuable writings, which have a long historical background. We are a nation with a long history with books; we have been familiar with books for centuries. Of course, in those days, access to books was not easy. Copying handwritten books was difficult, but at the same time, those who were worthy and deserving of using books made great efforts. We have read and repeatedly heard that some people needed a book, and the owner of the book was stingy and did not lend it; then, with pleading and effort, they borrowed this book for one or two nights, staying awake day and night to copy it and have a copy for themselves. Such instances are numerous. Today, these obstacles have been removed. Advances in science have made the production, duplication, and dissemination of books easier. Today, we must elevate our position in publishing books and utilizing books, considering this ancient background.

Book producers must also pay attention to this meaning. In book production—whether producing in the sense of creating books, translating books, or publishing books and making them available to others—they must look at the needs and gaps in society; they must recognize the intellectual gaps, identify the intellectual needs, select them, and pursue them. We see that in the book market, sometimes misguided guidance is followed; especially they pursue issues that are detrimental to the mindset of society, to the mindset of the country, whether in terms of moral aspects, religious and belief aspects, or political aspects. One can clearly observe that in the book market, certain groups are active; they seek to introduce certain things, create translations, with political motives; its appearance is cultural, but its essence is political.

Let me tell you; many of the activities promoted in the cultural domain in our country by foreigners, enemies, and opponents of Islam and the Islamic system appear cultural, but their essence is political; this is observable. The group involved in the book sector—whether you who are librarians, the management of libraries, those responsible in the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, or the esteemed publishers themselves—must ensure that healthy, beneficial, and nourishing spiritual materials are disseminated in society. Today, fortunately, the level of literacy and the ability to access books is broad and extensive; we must take advantage of this opportunity.

I want to take advantage of this gathering today to renew our commitment to the issue of books, reading, good books, useful books, and healthy books; let all responsible parties in the country initiate a movement; from those who plan, to those who produce, to those who promote, to the readers of books, both young and old, to have a new perspective. Print runs of one thousand, two thousand, or three thousand are not suitable for our seventy-five million nation with so many young people and motivation; print runs must be much higher. Now, in some cases, fortunately, we see that the frequency of printing books is very high; however, when we look at the overall picture, no, it is not satisfactory, it is not convincing; a movement must be initiated.

In any case, I express my gratitude to the entire group responsible for books, and I also request that the issue of books be viewed more seriously. Let us make reading a common practice and ensure that books do not fall out of the hands of our youth. The claim that the average daily reading rate of books is such and such is not a satisfactory statistic; it must be much higher than this. A person is never independent of books. From adolescence, from the beginning of literacy until the end of life, a person needs books; they need to understand issues and absorb spiritual and intellectual nourishment; this must be understood and pursued at the level of the general public.

God willing, may the Almighty God grant you success and support. We thank you for your efforts. We are pleased with what has happened, and our expectation is that what you have done, God willing, will be multiplied many times over. May God assist you, and God willing, may you be included in the prayers of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him).

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.