Iranian Library and Information Science Association (ILISA) in Service of Civil Society: A Pattern for Middle East Countries

Abstract

This paper attempts to discuss the history of Iranian Library and Information Science Association (ILISA) and focus on activities and policies relationship to civil society that highlights the values of libraries in Iran. These activities are presented in four sections as follows: 1) History of ILISA 2) The statutes, structure and strategic plan of ILISA 3) Extent of activities 4) Using technology to interact with the community. The authors try to present the history of the successful Association and highlight points related to solidarity with the civil society. It is hoped that interested Middle East countries can benefit from ILISA experiences. During the last two decades of the ILISA’s activities, the main focus was to improve the abilities and conditions of libraries thorough employment of local and indigenous people. In order to transmit ILISA’s knowledge and experience to other countries, ILISA held courses for Afghan libraries with collaboration of National Library of Iran in Tehran and Kabul. The strategic plan of ILISA includes solutions to librarians’ challenges in new digital world. This plan focuses on the sustainable development and wide scope of audiences. The main goal of annual Congresses of ILISA is on practical and executive strategies. The public libraries, Green information, Freedom of Information in citizen's right are among the subjects which are emphasis in the Congresses. Also, ILISA has held the open dialogues as the Journal Clubs and Gatherings that are explained in the paper.