National Library of Iran

The National Library of Iran (NLI) is located in Tehran, Iran, with several branches scattered throughout the city. Prior to the library's official inauguration in 1937, other libraries existed that performed the same function informally. The first prototype of a national library in Iran was the Library of Dar al-Funun College, established in 1851. In 1899, another library called the "Nation's Library" was inaugurated in Tehran.