Step-by-Step Restrictions at the National Library; Master's Students Allowed Membership for Only One Year

The National Library of Iran, coinciding with a change in management, has published a new regulation that limits membership for certain student and research groups to one year, non-renewable. According to ILNA news agency, the changes in the new regulation prohibit master's students from joining without a thesis, current members' cards will not be renewed, and only master's graduates are allowed membership. The new regulation imposes strict rules, banning any gatherings or distribution of surveys and letters, and inviting to gatherings (even charity events), while also enforcing women to 'observe the dress code specified by the organization.' The National Library, which provides 24-hour services for students and researchers and is one of the few credible research references in Iran, had previously started restrictions in 1402 by limiting the night shift to doctoral students under the pretext of cost-saving. In the new regulation, the maximum membership duration, even for research membership, is set at one year and is non-renewable. Ordinary membership in the National Library is also set for four years without renewal, and bringing personal books into the library is prohibited. The new managers of the National Library had previously stated that 'by making changes such as amending the membership regulations, they aim to limit the services provided in the study halls.' These managers told ILNA that 'providing reading room services is not within the duties of this organization and distracts them from their main mission.' The change in management and gradual restrictions on membership for students and researchers, which began with the night shift, occurred after some members of the National Library protested against compulsory hijab and the suspension of members during the nationwide protests of 1401, and photos of girls without mandatory covering in the reading room of this library were published. Pegah Bonyashami: Iranian citizens should not pay attention to 'religious matters' that have not become 'law.' A student's laptop and iPad were stolen in the central library of Sharif University. A group of National Library members protested against the compulsory hijab with the slogan 'No Hijab, No Beating.'