Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi

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The Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi is a large library in Mashad, Iran.

It was established before 1457, and holds over 1.1 million volumes.

It is an international center for Islamic research. It contains numerous manuscripts and rare works of antiquity of Islamic history.

The library has 35 branches:

17 libraries in Mashhad, Iran.
5 libraries in Khorasan province.
12 libraries in other cities of Iran.
1 library in India.

1 History
2 The Bureau of Museums of Astan e Qods
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] History

The Organization of Libraries, Museums, and the Documentation Centre of Astan Quds Razavi is considered as one of the most important treasures of the recorded knowledge of Iran and the world of Islam.

The library's oldest Qur'an manuscript, was caligraphed by Abul Ghasem Ali Ibn Simjour, and dates 974 CE.

Construction of the present building was completed in 1995, covering a total area of 28800 square meters and opened to the public in the same year.

Some of the outstanding features of this notable complex are as follows:

Affiliation of the complex to the shrine of Imam Reza
Many manuscripts of very long life, artifacts and museum objects, dating back 1000 years.
Exquisite copies of Qur'an, glorious manuscripts, and printed books.
A vast collection of printed books in different fields.
A glorious and attractive building for the Central Library which is unique and exclusive in its kind in the history of Islamic art.
Very sophisticated facilities and technologies.
A big, fabulous collection of different museums.
An extended and rich collection of documents and serials.

The number of manuscripts held by the library in 2003 was 30250 volumes, 25000 of earlier lithographic books, 17240 other handwritten materials; 72490 volumes in total.

[edit] The Bureau of Museums of Astan e Qods

Affiliated with the library are 11 different museums which are located separately in different buildings near each other. They are:

The Museum of Qur'an and Precious Objects.
The Museum of precious objects donated by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The specialized Museum of Carpets
The Museum of Armaments.
The Museum of Astronomical Tools and Clocks
The Museum of Coins and Medals
The Museum of the History of Mashhad .
The Museum of pottery and glassware.
The Museum of fine arts
The Museum of Stamps and Banknotes
The Museum of Shellfishes and Mollusks

The bureau of museums maintains an office for the preservation and repair of historical objects of the Museum and library by a technical staff of specialists.