King Abdulaziz Public Library: Difference between revisions
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The '''King Abdulaziz Public Library''', also known as "KAPL", is located in [[Riyadh]], Kingdom of [[Saudi Arabia]]. It was founded in 1985 and was designed and constructed by [[Saudi Oger]]. The building was cost $40,000,000.00 to construct and has 26,000m2 of space. "The architectural character presents a unique formal statement, and it employs local themes and materials reinterpreted using modern technology."<ref>[http://www.daralomran.com/arch/?portfolio=king-abdulaziz-public-library-proposal "King Abdulaziz Public Library Proposal Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia"]</ref> |
The '''King Abdulaziz Public Library''', also known as "KAPL", is located in [[Riyadh]], Kingdom of [[Saudi Arabia]]. It was founded in 1985 and was designed and constructed by [[Saudi Oger]]. The building was cost $40,000,000.00 to construct and has 26,000m2 of space. "The architectural character presents a unique formal statement, and it employs local themes and materials reinterpreted using modern technology."<ref>[http://www.daralomran.com/arch/?portfolio=king-abdulaziz-public-library-proposal "King Abdulaziz Public Library Proposal Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia"]</ref> |
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==Special collections== |
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==History== |
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Special collections include the private library of the American Orientalist [[George Rentz]], the library of [[Hamza Bu Bakr]] (made up of 17,170 titles in 19,281 volumes) and a collection of over 7,000 rare Arab and Islamic coins. |
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King Abdulaziz Public Library is a philanthropic institution which was founded and supported by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz ([[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia]]), Chairman of its Board of Directors. Established on 5 Rajab A.H.1405 (1985), the library was officially opened by the King in Ridyah on 10 Rajab A.H.1408, corresponding to 27 February 1987 in the western calendar. Special collections also include the private library of the American Orientalist [[George Rentz]], and it includes numerous books, manuscripts, maps and rare documents. |
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The KAPL also owns the library of [[Hamza Bu Bakr]], who was the dean of the Islamic institute and the [[imam]] of the [[Paris mosque]]. His private library consists of 17,170 titles in 19,281 volumes, comprising books, journals, newspapers, manuscripts, documents, newspaper cuttings as well as important and rare books, in Arabic, French, English, German and Russian. The topics covered embrace a wide spectrum of Shariah, literary, political and medical subjects, as well as travel literature, and the cultures and religions of different lands, and human relations. |
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The [[Khayr al-Din al-Zirikli]] Collection comprises a large number of documents, such as local telegrams, memoirs, accounts and exhibits presented to the Royal Court during the reigns of King Abdulaziz, King Saud and King Feisal. These documents illustrate the sort of requests and problems which were current, and the action taken with regard to them. In addition, the collection includes royal decrees, political reports, suggestions and opinions, reports of newspaper readings, official meetings with foreign heads of state and government ministers, particularly in Egypt, Greece, Morocco, Syria and Lebanon, and the foundation of the Arab League. Moreover, other documents take up cultural and intellectual matters, conferences, symposiums and private correspondence. |
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The KAPL also has a collection of over 7,000 rare Arab and Islamic coins minted in the Umayyad and Abbasid eras, in Muslim Spain, and in the [[Fatimid]], [[Ayyubid]], [[Atabeg]], [[Saljuq]] and [[Mamluk]] states, as well as the lands of the Islamic East and the [[Maghrib]], until the [[Ottoman era]]. |
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==Rare Arabic Printed Books== |
==Rare Arabic Printed Books== |
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==Arabic Union Catalog== |
==Arabic Union Catalog== |
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In 2006 the library created the[[Arabic Union Catalog]]. This is shared with [[OCLC]], and is available on their [[Worldcat]] database.<ref>[http://www.oclc.org/news/releases/2011/201169.en.html "OCLC partners with King Abdulaziz Public Library in Saudi Arabia to make Arabic-language resources available through WorldCat.org."]</ref> |
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==Map Collection== |
==Map Collection== |
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Revision as of 12:59, 23 August 2013
The King Abdulaziz Public Library, also known as "KAPL", is located in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1985 and was designed and constructed by Saudi Oger. The building was cost $40,000,000.00 to construct and has 26,000m2 of space. "The architectural character presents a unique formal statement, and it employs local themes and materials reinterpreted using modern technology."[1]
Special collections
Special collections include the private library of the American Orientalist George Rentz, the library of Hamza Bu Bakr (made up of 17,170 titles in 19,281 volumes) and a collection of over 7,000 rare Arab and Islamic coins.
Rare Arabic Printed Books
The KAPL has 5,271 rare Arabic titles cataloged, classified and entered into the Arabic books database, as well as 3,000 rare Arabic books currently being cataloged.
Arabic Union Catalog
In 2006 the library created theArabic Union Catalog. This is shared with OCLC, and is available on their Worldcat database.[2]
Map Collection
"One of the largest publicly available Arabian cartographic collections lies in Riyadh at the King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Public Library (KAPL). Established in 1985, the KAPL enjoys a growing reputation for the quality of its facilities and collections, the latter ranging from books and manuscripts to coins and photographs. Of particular interest, however, is the library's collection of several hundred maps of Arabia, centered on the 16th to 18th centuries. Since the library's foundation, says Supervisor-General Faisal al-Muaammar, "we were keen to build up a comprehensive collection of maps and charts of Arabia, so that this fascinating material could be made available to scholars and members of the public alike."[3]
The map collection has over 700 rare maps, mostly of the Arabian Peninsular, dating from 1482. These maps are written in English, French, Latin, Italian, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish and Arabic. They include examples of some of the greatest cartographers, including Ptolemy, Gastaldi, Ortelius, Munster, Bertius, Hondius, Mercator, Speed, Blaeu, Sanson, Regel, Bowen, Neighbour and Pinkerton.[4]
Womens Library
"Like most other establishments in Saudi Arabia, the Public library is segregated with separate men and women’s sections. Specifically, the library strives to disseminate knowledge and culture in Saudi society, concentrating on the Arabic and Islamic heritage and the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its founder King Abdulaziz. It seeks to offer a high level of excellence in service in order to meet the expectations of its patrons, answer their needs and earn their satisfaction."[5]
"The first women's library began with the establishment of a women's section attached to the central library at the beginning of A.H.1409 by order of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, President of the Council of Ministers and Executive Chairman of the Board of the King Abdulaziz Public Library. This was later transformed into a comprehensive Women's Library which was officially inaugurated on 5/7/A.H.1416. A branch of the Women's Library was subsequently opened in the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in the Murabba quarter of Riyadh. King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh is very proud of its women's libraries, which are the first public libraries expressly dedicated to women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, equipped with integrated components and employing the techniques of modern information science."[6]
Cooperation
The KAPL has also shared their important and unique collections with other organizations world-wide. "It helps that the exhibition, mounted in partnership with King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh, consists of a wealth of objects, including historic pieces as well as new contemporary art. It has been brought together from different key collections, including the British Museum and the British Library, the Khalili collection, and from sources in Saudi Arabia."[7]
The KAPL has also donated some valuable materials to other libraries. "Alexandria, Egypt, 11 January 2005—The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) has received a valuable donation from the King Abdulaziz Public Library in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Sohair Wastawy, Head of the Library Sector, announced that the donation is of high intellectual and scientific value as it comprises a collection of books, journals and catalogs. They include a book on the principles of library control, Wahet al Tofoola, Wahet al Ma’refa, in addition to a catalog about the first exhibition for the intellectual, scientific and creative outcome of the Saudi woman."[8]
References
- ^ "King Abdulaziz Public Library Proposal Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia"
- ^ "OCLC partners with King Abdulaziz Public Library in Saudi Arabia to make Arabic-language resources available through WorldCat.org."
- ^ Parry, James V. 2004. "Mapping Arabia." Saudi Aramco World. January/February 2004. Pages 20-37.
- ^ "Rare Acquisitions- Maps."
- ^ "Saudi Arabia and the Joy of Reading." June 12, 2009.
- ^ "Female Library"
- ^ "Reviewing Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam at the British Museum, London"
- ^ "Donation of the King Abdulaziz Public Library to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina" 11 Jan 2005