The panel was joined by university professors as well as curator of National Library.

 

Qlamreza Fadaei, head of department of librarianship and information in Tehran University asserted that the notion of librarianship overrun the area of a given library. He elaborated that the concept of librarianship was not informed by library rather the latter is a full manifestation of the former.

 

Fadaei said librarianship modules were introduced to universities nationwide 40 years ago, adding that at present, there are 84 departments of librarianship in universities across the country. He went on to say that due to a surge in applications for post graduate studies, faculty of librarianship seemed essential.

 

A next panelist, Ali Akbar Ash'ari, curator of National Center of Documents and Library, urged librarians of reference resources to get involved in all research projects, adding that in the National Libraries, librarians of reference resources have been instated in research halls in a bid to ensure that enquiries of researchers are answered effectively.

 

Ash'ari revealed that faculty of librarianship would be established next October in Tehran University in a joint drive by the national Library.

 

Next, Fatema Fahimniya, executive in charge of Tehran University Central Library urged for establishment a special website and library for the soon-to-be-established faculty, adding the planned faculty will offer courses in eight different specializations.

 

The panel discussion was wrapped by Saeed Rezaei Sharifabadi who outlined major assignments of a librarian as to identify data, sort them out and offer them to a target audience.

 

The 1.5-hour panel was held Wednesday, May 12 in the pavilion of House of Authors in the 23^rd edition of Tehran International Book Fair in a marquee assigned to showcase Iran's Publication Records.