LIBRARIES IN IRAN, ITALY AND REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA DESIGNATED UNITED NATIONS DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES

Press Release
PI/1238

LIBRARIES IN IRAN, ITALY AND REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA DESIGNATED UNITED NATIONS DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES

Three libraries, located in Iran, Italy and the Republic of Moldova, have been designated United Nations depository libraries, becoming part of an international network of 381 libraries in 143 countries and territories that bring United Nations documents and publications to users around the world. They are the Central Library of Shahid Beheshti University (Tehran), the Assisi City Library (Assisi) and the National Library of the Republic of Moldova (Chisinau).

The Central Library of Shahid Beheshti University, in Tehran, becomes the fourth United Nations depository library in Iran. Shahid Beheshti University, founded in 1960, is one of the largest academic institutions in the country, with about 14,000 students and an academic staff of over 450. The Central Library is the principal library and documentation centre of the University; with a staff of 36, it supports 10 faculty libraries, linked though a computer network. The library contains over 300,000 volumes and more than 700 periodicals, as well as microforms, maps, manuscripts and other documents. Its United Nations deposit consists of printed publications in English as well as Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) masthead documents.

The Assisi City Library, founded in 1902, becomes the eighth United Nations depository library in Italy. Currently holding 70,000 monographs and 900 periodicals, it serves 11,000 patrons. The United Nations deposit is kept, through special arrangements with the Italian Society for International Organization, on the premises of the Assisi Office for the Support of the United Nations. Two professional librarians are charged with maintaining the deposit, which comprises printed publications and masthead documents of the United Nations in English, including Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) masthead documents.

The National Library of the Republic of Moldova is the first United Nations depository library to be designated in the country. Founded in 1832 and situated in the country’s capital, Chisinau, the National Library holds more than 3 million books, 60,000 music scores and 17,000 sound recordings. Two of the library’s staff of 200 are assigned to manage the deposit, which consists of printed publications and ECE masthead documents in both English and French.

Since 1946, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library at United Nations Headquarters in New York, which is part of the Department of Public Information (DPI), has arranged for the distribution of United Nations documents and publications to users around the world through its depository library system. At present, there are 381 United Nations depository libraries: 55 are located in Africa, 88 in Asia

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and the Pacific, 17 in Western Asia, 33 in Eastern Europe, 85 in Western Europe, 49 in Latin America and the Caribbean and 54 in North America. These libraries receive United Nations materials, with the understanding that their collections will be maintained in good order and made available to the general public free of charge.

United Nations Member States, as well as non-members, are entitled to one free depository, usually the national library in the capital city. In addition, the national parliamentary library, if open to the public, is also entitled to receive material free of charge. Other depository libraries pay a token annual contribution to receive United Nations documentation. Developing countries pay a significantly smaller amount than developed countries.

The designation of depositories is carried out by the United Nations Publications Board. The degree of development of the requesting libraries and the overall geographic distribution of depository libraries in the countries concerned are among the criteria used.

United Nations professional librarians and information officers make periodic visits to depository libraries to provide assistance and training in the management of the United Nations collection. In addition, special training seminars for depository librarians are periodically organized by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library in New York and by the Library of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

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