The Vaziri Library of Yazd is one of the richest libraries in Iran. Having several thousand volumes of exquisite manuscripts and printed books, this library is considered one of the most valuable research resources by research scholars. The Vaziri Library has several sections, including a museum where, in addition to old books and manuscripts, tools and equipment related to the life of the ancient people of Yazd are on display.

History of the Vaziri Library of Yazd

The Vaziri Library of Yazd was founded in the year 1955 AD by “Ali Mohammad Vaziri” who had been born into one of the noble families of Yazd in 1895 AD. Vaziri engaged in learning religious sciences since childhood and, being a scholar, was able to offer valuable services to the people of Yazd. After the fall of Pahlavi I in 1941 AD and less pressure on religious activities, Vaziri played an important role in organizing the Yazd Seminary. In addition to the establishment of the Vaziri Library, the foundation of an association of preachers is also recognized as one of the lasting services of this outstanding scholar. Vaziri passed away in 1977 AD and was buried in the Jame’ Mosque of Yazd, next to his famous library.

The Vaziri Library was initially set up with about 1,600 books in the northern part of the Jame’ Mosque of Yazd, for the use of students of religious sciences, but in the following years, it was expanded by buying nearby houses, such that it is now about 6,000 square meters. One of the first changes that took place with the aim of expanding the library was the construction of a building with an area of 600 square meters in 1965 AD, which was done with the cooperation of a Yazdi businessman. This library and its 3300 manuscripts were donated to Astan-e Quds Razavi in 1969 AD and today it is managed under the supervision of the Organization of Libraries, Museums and Documents Center of Astan-e Quds Razavi. In the donation letter, the total number of books is mentioned as 21,267 volumes.

The Sources Available in the Vaziri Library of Yazd

More than 4,800 manuscripts, nearly 6,000 volumes of lithographic books, about 235,000 volumes of printed books, and more than 6,000 copies of periodicals have made the Vaziri Library of Yazd one of the most exquisite treasures of manuscript and historical books in Iran. The books and documents of the library are available in several sections: manuscript book repository, lithographic book repository, printed book repository, and press. There are also several study halls, an information center, and a manuscript book restoration department in the library building.

Vaziri Museum of Yazd

One of the spectacular subcategories of the Vaziri Library is its museum, which contains a collection of old objects and books in one hall. Coins, old locks and fasteners, an expensive fur clothing that belonged to one of the khans of Yazd, a bell known as “Sheyhekash” that was installed in the famous Time Clock Square of Yazd, a collection of household items and handicrafts such as vases, samovar, porcelain dishes, teapots, hookahs, lighting tools and equipment such as hanging lights and lamps, old clothes, traditional fabrics, gold and silver embroidery, calligraphy tools, and bathroom items, pans and copper basins are among the items in the museum. There are several old copies of the Holy Qur’an, deeds, marriage certificates, letters, and calligraphy works of renowned masters such as Mir Emad, Neyrizi, and Darvish Abdulmajid Taleghani on display in this museum. There is a marriage certificate in the museum which had been made in the year 1779 AD. Most of the objects in the museum have been donated by the people of Yazd. Valuable objects are still being donated to the museum by the people of Yazd, thereby increasing its size and the number of objects. The presence of tools and equipment that were once prevalent in the lives of the people of Yazd makes this museum somewhat similar to anthropological museums.