| The New Library of Alexandria The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the fabled Library of Alexandria, is now being revived in a dramatic structure by the Mediterranean. It is a major new cultural facility, and Ismail Serageldin has the unique distinction of being the first scholar in over 1600 years to hold the titles of “Librarian of Alexandria”, and “Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina”.
Overview |
Architecture |
The Ancient Library of Alexandria, founded in 288 BC, was a unique achievement of the human intellect. It represented the zenith of learning for over six centuries, and remains to this day the inspiration for all scholars and scientists, even though it disappeared some 1600 years ago.
[click here for a summary about the ancient Library ]
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the New Library of Alexandria, is dedicated to recapture the spirit of the original. It aspires to be:
- The World's window on Egypt;
- Egypt's window on the world,
- A leading institution of the digital age; and, above all;
- A center for learning, tolerance, dialogue and understanding.
To fulfill that role, the new complex is much more than a library. It contains:
- A library that can hold millions of books;
- A center for the Internet and its archive;
- Six specialized libraries for (i) audio-visual materials, (ii), the visually impaired, (iii) children, (iv) the young, (v) microforms, and (vi) rare books and special collections;
- Three Museums for (i) antiquities, (ii) manuscripts, and (iii) the history of science;
- A planetarium;
- An Exploratorium for children's exposure to science;
- Two permanent exhibitions;
- Six art galleries for temporary exhibitions;
- A conference center for thousands of persons;
- Seven research institutes covering (i) manuscripts, (ii) documentation of heritage, (iii) calligraphy and writing, (iv) information sciences, (v) Mediterranean and Alexandrian Studies, (vi) arts, and (vii) scientific research; and
- A discussion forum
Today, this vast complex is a reality, receiving more than 250,000 visitors a year.
[Click here to visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina] |
