Department of Library Science
Mrs Mahin Tafazzoli the Associate Professor of Library Science who was an Iranian and holding MSLS from an American University and Dr. John Harvey who was an American Library Science Professor and Advisor in TEBROC and IRANDOC were sent to Tabriz to prepare a curriculum programme for the Department of Library Science of the University of Tabriz.
In that time I was in the Central Library of the Teachers Training University of Tehran.
These two well-known Librarians and Professors of Library Science stayed in the University of Tabriz Campus for one whole day and at the end of the day they both submitted their provided programme for the Department of Library Science and left the city by plane for the good.
When I joined the University of Tabriz in 1348 A.H.S./l968 A.D., I found myself the only MSLS holder who has ever appeared there. I faced with a Department with no room, teachers, books and other equipments which were needed urgently. The only available things for me were a nice Dean of the faculty whos name was Dr. Ahmad Tabatabai, office workers, a wonderful Chancellor of the university, two Vice-Chancellors and a very excellent environment. The Line of Administration was very effective too. I also found a group of 17 young lady students who were probably the remaining ones from the Department of Home Economics Entrance Examination who were put aside for the new Department of Library Science.
My MSLS thesis which was about the Iranian Reference Sources was the only available source for my class of Persian and Arabic Reference sources which was equal to two Unit Hours per week. Library Administration Course also was taught by Dr. Seyyed Ya'qoubi who was a librarian and a learned man but without academic Library Science Degree. Dr. Seyyed Ya'qoubi later went to America and got his MSLS from that country. His Doctorate degree was from France and for the French Language.
However, I gradually began to invite other Iranians and foreigners to come to our Department
Mr.Philip Russel Scot was the first British Librarian who arrived here. He was a noble man with full Dignity I think Mr. Scot and Professor J.D. Pearson the famous bibliographer of the University of London were the best representatives of UK for the foreigners like me.
Mr. Rashid Tayyeb who had no formal Library Science degrees but rather a practical librarian was the next tutor who arrived here . Mr. Rashid Tayyeb was an expatriate, i.e. he had a Pakistani origin but a Canadian Citizen who was living in Canada in that time.
Mr. Afshin Hamdipour: He is holding BA in Library and Information Science from University of Tabriz, and MA in Library and Information Science from University of Shiraz. He is an expert in IT: Computer, Softwares, Cataloguing, Classification and Acquisitions.
Mrs. Juliet Alexanian Malakuti: She is holding BA in Library and Information Science from the University of Tabriz, and PGD and MA in Library and Information Science from UK (North London Polytechnic and UCL). She is an expert in Children, Library Buildings, and illiteracy in Iran.
Mrs. Nahid Mortazavi: She is holding BA in Library and Information Science from University of Tabriz, and MA in Library and Information Science from USA. She is an expert in Archives, Library History, Cataloguing, Classification and Acquisitions.
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Dr. Shahla Bahavar: She got BA in Library and Information Science from University of Tabriz as an honoured graduate, and Ph.D in Library and Information Science from University of Southern California in August 18, 1982. She is now in USA.
Mr. 'Ali Akbar Poursarbaz Koucheh: He held a BA in Library and Information Science from the University of Tabriz. He got MA from UCL of the University of London in the use of computers in libraries. He was an expert in IT. He was then in Teachers Training University, near Azar Shahr - one hour from Tabriz. He died in the way of Mashhad two years ago. They say he had an stroke or similar like that.
Dr. 'Ali Shakoui: He had a BA in Philosophy from University of Tabriz and Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from Turkey. He is now working inTehran: Open University, University of Tehran and University of Teachers Training(University of Tarbeyat-e Modarres).
Mrs. Vazirpour Keshmiri: She had BA in English Language and Literature from Tehran, and MA in Library and Information Science from the University of Tehran. She then continued her studies and got a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from Open University in Tehran.