Grand Mosque Library: A Treasure Trove Of Islamic Civilization And Literature

Makkah, SPA – The Grand Mosque Library stands as a prominent scientific centre for the study of civilization and Islamic culture. Located in the Batha Quraish area and overseen by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, this library houses an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, documents, and visual materials.

With approximately 75,000 titles, the library is one of the most significant in the Kingdom, serving as a vital resource for students and researchers. Since its inception, it has maintained endowment collections, rare books, diverse scientific works, and old newspapers. These items have been meticulously restored by the library's restoration and sterilization department.

The library employs an automated catalog system on a cloud platform, enabling users to search for scientific sources by title, author, or subject headings. This system significantly enhances accessibility to its vast resources. The restoration and sterilization department plays a crucial role in preserving books in various sections such as the reading room and periodicals room.

An "ozone device" is used for sterilizing books. This environmentally friendly device converts oxygen gas into ozone gas, effectively eliminating insects and microorganisms within eight hours. Damaged books are examined on shelves and repaired before being returned to their respective departments.

The library has successfully restored numerous documents and visual materials. Torn pieces are gathered and cracks are mended using Japanese paper and a thermal iron to prevent further damage or loss of parts. Approximately 650 manuscripts have been archived to date.

The Grand Mosque Library welcomes readers and visitors throughout the week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering a serene environment for scholarly pursuits.

With inputs from SPA