MELA Notes

Modern librarianship in Iran emerged relatively late and, from its inception in the 1960s, was largely shaped by an emphasis on technical services such as cataloguing, classification, and resource organization. This orientation, reinforced by key academic and institutional centers, led to the marginalization of public services and the social dimensions of librarianship. Against this dominant trend, a parallel and less visible movement gradually developed, focusing on libraries’ social responsibilities and their role in fostering equity, inclusion, and community engagement. This article examines the emergence of social librarianship in Iran through the life, thought, and professional practice of Nūshāfarīn Anṣārī, widely regarded as the pioneer of this approach. Drawing on historical analysis, professional documents, and testimonies of colleagues and students, the study explores Anṣārī’s commitment to the principle of “Books for All,” her advocacy for public libraries as democratic and inclusive institutions, and her sustained efforts to redefine librarianship as a socially engaged profession. Particular attention is given to her pedagogical innovations, curriculum development, emphasis on reference and public services, and her six-decade involvement with the Children’s Book Council of Iran (CBC) as a practical embodiment of social librarianship. The article argues that Anṣārī’s enduring legacy lies in institutionalizing social librarianship in Iran and demonstrating that the professional legitimacy of librarianship is grounded not in technical sophistication alone, but in its meaningful integration into the social and cultural life of the community.