NLAI OPAC Catalog National Library and Archives of Iran

Overview

The NLAI OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) is the online catalog of the National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran (NLAI), providing searchable bibliographic access to the library's collections including books, manuscripts, dissertations, periodicals, and other materials. It is accessible at opac.nlai.ir.

Host Institution

The National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) is the largest library in the Middle East, holding more than fifteen million items. Located in Tehran with twelve provincial branches, it is an educational, research, scientific, and service institute established by law of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, with its president appointed by the President of Iran. The NLAI was formed in 2002 through the merger of the National Library of Iran (founded as a modern institution in 1937) with the National Archives of Iran.

Collections and Holdings

The NLAI's holdings include an Iranian Studies collection of over 80,000 books, 2,300 dissertations, and 6,000 journals; an Islam Studies collection with over 8 million items; manuscripts; lithographs; photographs; maps; newspapers; and government documents. The OPAC provides bibliographic access to printed materials cataloged since the library began computerized cataloging in 1994, using the IRANMARC format (based on UNIMARC) adopted in 2006 through the RASA software system. Note: access to the main online catalog requires an Iranian IP address or VPN.

Access and Usage

The OPAC is accessible online at opac.nlai.ir. International researchers without Iranian IP addresses may find access restricted; the NLAI's digital collections of digitized manuscripts and lithographs are available through separate portals. On-site access to the physical reading rooms is available to registered members with valid identification. The manuscript division operates limited hours and requires advance arrangement.