Libraries abroad: National library of Lebanon to be restored

In the end of 2011 the National Library of Lebanon, in Beirut, will open its doors for readers. The building, bearing the marks of Turkish age, will be restored to house a modern library furnished with state-of-the-art equipment.

 Founded as an academic center for art studies in 1907, the complex was transferred into a library. After the end of Lebanon’s 1975-90 Civil War, the library’s work came to a halt and its books moved to different safe shelters across the country.

Several previous attempts to restore the cultural edifice have failed, but thanks to a $20 million donation from Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Culture Ministry was finally able to kick off renovation works.

During the restoration work, which will begin immediately after the New Year, is planned to upgrade the internal space of the complex, to make additions and expand library space, which after the restoration will serve daily more than 2 thousand readers. In addition, according to the Minister of Culture of Lebanon, Salim Varde, during restoration work the library will be equipped with modern equipment that will connect its central database with other libraries in Lebanon, thereby providing all citizens of Lebanon with access to information. In addition, readers will have access to the fund, containing more than 200 000 books and manuscripts in Arabic, Armenian, English, French and Russian.

The Minister also expressed hope that the National Library of Lebanon will be the center of national culture, which, in cooperation with a network of local libraries associated with each other, will provide residents of Lebanon with access to knowledge and opportunity to interact with other cultures.