Historical Aspects of Cataloging and Classification in Iran

This article consists of three parts: (1) Introduction, (2) Cataloging and classification of manuscripts, and (3) Cataloging and classification of printed matters in Iran. In the introduction, after a short review of Iranian libraries, the historical background of Fihrist is touched upon. In the second section, the historical development of cataloging of manuscripts is discussed, emphasising the catalogs of manuscripts of the Parliament, Astani Qods, and the National Library as examples. In the third section, the history of cataloging and classification of printed books in modern times is reviewed: This event was initiated in Iran through formal and informal courses taught mainly by foreign lecturers. The initiation of the MLS degree at the University of Tehran and the establishment of TEBROC paved the way for standard rules and methods. With the amalgamation of TEBROC in the National Library, modern ways and means were developed more rapidly, hence computerization of cataloging, CIP, and IRANMARC. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: ©2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]