July 1. On this date in 1998, an introductory letter from the Bahá'í World Center Library was included to supplement 1971 guidelines (also here) for the process of pre-publication Review of Bahá'í publications, outlining several principles and observations addressed to Bahá'í authors and Bahá'í publishers.

July 1. On this date in 1998, an introductory letter from the Bahá'í World Center Library was included to supplement 1971 guidelines (also here) for the process of pre-publication Review of Bahá'í publications, outlining several principles and observations addressed to Bahá'í authors and Bahá'í publishers.

Introductory letter from the Bahá'í World Center Library (1998 version)

BAHÁ'Í WORLD CENTRE LIBRARY

1 July 1998
     
To all National Spiritual Assemblies,
Bahá'í Publishing Trusts, and
Associations for Bahá'í Studies

Dear Bahá'í Friends,
     
      The International Bahá'í Library holds the principal depository collection of Bahá'í and Bahá'í related publications in the world, maintaining a permanent historical record of all your achievements in this field. Through the cooperation and generosity of all of you, the collection is kept up to date and is reflective of the increasing recognition being accorded the Faith and the vitality of your communities in their publishing endeavours. It is in this connection and on behalf of the Universal House of Justice that we remind you once again of the importance of keeping up with the need to deposit with the Library copies of materials published by you, or your committees and agencies. The list of materials being requested, which was sent to you on 7 March 1996, has now been revised and is enclosed. Please replace that earlier list with this revised version.
     
      For works in languages other than Persian, Arabic and major European languages, please enclose in the package or with a separate cover letter an English translation of the title and, in the case of non-Roman alphabets, a transliteration into Roman letters of the following: the author's name, the title, the place of publication, the publisher, and the periodical numbering and date of issue. Transliteration is the process of putting into the Roman alphabet the equivalent of the original words. If the work is a translation or an adaptation of a work originally published in another language, please indicate this as well.
     
      As more Bahá'í publications and audiovisual materials are produced by independent Bahá'í owned and non-Bahá'í publishing Firms, it is important that the World Centre Library become aware of, and acquire, these publications. The Library has agreements with major independent Bahá'í owned publishers, but needs to be aware of all the independently produced Bahá'í publications. National Spiritual Assemblies may send pertinent information on such independently produced materials to the World Centre Library so that the publications may be ordered by the Library, or the Assemblies may send copies to the World Centre, in which case the Library will reimburse all costs.
     
      We also remind you that the Universal House of Justice wishes to receive copies of non-Bahá'í publications which contain significant mention of the Bahá'í Faith: books, pamphlets, theses or dissertations, magazine and journal articles, and newspaper stories. If it is not possible to send the original publication, please send a photocopy of the pertinent portion and of the title page of the work from which it is taken.
     
      We ask that National Spiritual Assemblies inform all their national committees, offices and agencies of this letter and its enclosure. This is particularly important for National Teaching Committees, Bahá'í Education Committees, and those committees or agencies engaged in Bahá'í institute activities.
     
      Your continued assistance in creating an effective International Bahá'í Library is deeply appreciated.
     
      With loving Bahá'í greetings,
      For the Bahá'í World Centre Library