Makkah, The Grand Mosque Library serves as a scientific center for the sciences of civilization and Islamic culture, housing rare manuscripts, documents, and visual materials, along with various contemporary Islamic sciences and literature. Overseen by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque and situated in the Batha Quraish area, the library boasts around 75,000 titles, rendering it one of the most significant libraries in the Kingdom and a notable resource for students and researchers seeking knowledge. Since its establishment, the library has housed endowment collections, rare books and manuscripts, diverse scientific works, the rarest manuscripts and prints, and old newspapers that have undergone restoration by the restoration and sterilization department.
The library provides users with the ability to search for scientific sources via an automated catalog system on a cloud platform, facilitating searches by various elements such as title, author, and subject h
eadings. The restoration and sterilization department in the library focuses on preserving books in the reading room, periodicals room, and newspapers by sterilizing them using an “ozone device.” This environmentally friendly device converts oxygen gas into ozone gas, sterilizing books and eliminating insects and microorganisms within eight hours. Damaged books undergo repair by examination on the shelves. Following sterilization and repair, all items are returned to their respective departments, whether the reading room, periodicals and newspapers, or other sections.
The library has restored numerous documents and visual materials by gathering torn pieces and mending cracks using Japanese paper and a thermal iron to prevent further damage or loss of parts. Additionally, the library has archived approximately 650 manuscripts.
The Grand Mosque Library welcomes readers and visitors throughout the week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Source: Saudi Press Agency