Nasser Sharify (September 23, 1925 – August 23, 2013) was a
library and information scientist
A library and information scientist, also known as a library scholar, is a researcher or academic who specializes in the field of library and information science and often participates in scholarly writing about and related to library and informati ...
born in
Tehran
Tehran (; , ''Tehrân'') is the capital and largest city of Iran. It is the capital of Tehran province, and the administrative center for Tehran County and its Central District (Tehran County), Central District. With a population of around 9. ...
, Iran. Since 1987, he served as a Distinguished Professor and Dean Emeritus of
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private university with its main campus in Brooklyn, New York. It has an additional campus in Manhattan and an extension campus in Utica, New York at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. The institute was founded in 18 ...
, School of Information and Library Science in New York City.
Education
D.L.S Columbia University, School of Library Service, 1958
M.S. Columbia University, School of Library Service, 1954
B.A Tehran University, French Literature, 1947
Contributions in the U.S. and Abroad
1962-1963 he served as Acting Chief, (Programme Specialist) Education Information and Materials Section,
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
Division of Education, Information, and Materials in Paris, France.
He was the Founder of the International Library Information Center,
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The university is composed of seventeen undergraduate and graduate schools and colle ...
in 1964. He remained on as Director of the
International Library Information Center from 1964-1966.
From Pittsburgh, Dr. Sharify moved on to the
State University of New York
The State University of New York (SUNY ) is a system of Public education, public colleges and universities in the New York (state), State of New York. It is one of the List of largest universities and university networks by enrollment, larges ...
(SUNY) where he headed the office of International Librarianship, Learning Resources, and Information Services (ILLRIS) in 1966. This office, created to provide information services for teaching, research and public service programs for International Studies and World Affairs for the entire SUNY system.
1968-1987 he was a Dean and Professor at
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private university with its main campus in Brooklyn, New York. It has an additional campus in Manhattan and an extension campus in Utica, New York at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. The institute was founded in 18 ...
,
Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Brooklyn, NY. Under Sharify, the school began to integrate new curricula in Information Science into its library program, and focus on burgeoning library technologies.
As the Chairman of the Board of Consultants for the Pahlavi National Library, he was responsible for coordinating over 40 international librarians and professionals in order to prepare a 17 volume position paper to be presented to the Shah of Iran in March 1975. The Pahlavi National Library was part of the Shah's vision to educate the Iranian people.
Since 1987, he has been a Distinguished Professor and Dean Emeritus of Pratt Institute, School of Information and Library Science in New York City.
In 1988, Pratt established the Nasser Sharify Lecture Series, created to honor Dean Sharify's 40 years of contribution to library and information science.
As a UNESCO consultant, he designed and helped create Morocco’s first school of information science in 1973.
The Hoover Institutionat Stanford University is establishing the Nasser Sharify Archives of works on and about him, and works written by him, including his literary works, poetry and speeches.
[Stanford University: Classification of Nasser Sharify Archives, as part of the Paul and Jean Hanna Collection on Role of Education. Standford, Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace, Stanford University, 1988. p 1-5.]
In 2004, th
Nasser Sharify Foundationwas formed "to promote scholarship, education, and research in the fields of Information & Library Sciences, literary achievement in the Persian and English languages, and public awareness in multicultural issues."
Awards
The Kaula Gold Medal, 1985 - Given annually to only one international leader or scholar in the world.
The Shah's Crown Medal, 1977 - He presented his master plan for a national network of information in Iran to the Shah of Iran and it earned him the distinguished Shah's Crown Medal.
American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world.
History 19th century ...
(ALA) Citation, June 1999 - the ALA presented this award honoring Nasser Sharify for his lifelong contributions to Library Sciences.
Organizations
ALA Nominating Committee, 1970-71
International Education Committee, Middle East Research Panel, 1969
AALS Nominating Committee, 1977–79
References
External links
*
Inventory to the Nasser Sharify Papers, 1902-1993 (Bulk 1950-1989)at the Hoover Institution Archives
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharify, Nasser
Iranian librarians
Pratt Institute faculty
Iranian emigrants to the United States
Columbia University School of Library Service alumni
University of Tehran alumni
1925 births
2013 deaths
Heads of the National Library of Iran