In this study, the emergence and development of public libraries in Iran have been examined in comparison with the public library movement in the United States and the United Kingdom (historically) and also with the guidelines of IFLA and UNESCO.The most important finding of the present study is that the public library movement in Iran, like the pioneering countries in this regard, namely the United States and the United Kingdom, was formed by the people and intellectuals.However, in Iran, unlike the United States and the United Kingdom, laws have gradually reduced the participation of the people and librarians in public library affairs and have caused some problems and inadequacies.Another finding of this study is that the legal and financial framework of public libraries in Iran is currently not very consistent with the guidelines of IFLA and UNESCO in 2001. And due to the lack of attention to local needs, children and special groups, public libraries in Iran have strayed from their functions, nature and main mission.Therefore, it seems that the laws related to public libraries in Iran need to be rewritten, so that public participation through local councils and library and information science experts becomes more prominent.In addition to presenting the research findings, this article can be an introduction to further qualitative and historical research in this field.
