Jenn Ogg
November 19, 2003
LIS 610
Assign 5
The Modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The Ancient Library of Alexandria is considerably the most famous library of antiquity. In addition to being the largest known library, the Library of Alexandria was associated with great scholarship and research. Although the exact method and reason for its demise cannot be clearly ascertained, the Ancient Library of Alexandria ceased to exist after the first few centuries of the Common Era. The traditions and ideas of this great library survived into the twenty-first century, stimulating a revival movement, the coming together of many nations, and not surprisingly, a bit of controversy.
The initial idea for the revival of the Ancient Library of Alexandria was set into motion in 1974 by Dr. M. Lotfy Dowidar, President of the University of Alexandria. Dr. Dowidar envisioned rebuilding the great library and once again making Alexandria (Egypt) the center for knowledge, scholarship, science, and research (Salem, 1991, 388). As support for this project intensified, four primary goals surfaced. The new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, as it came to be known, would
become one of the worldÕs major Ôpublic researchÕ libraries that serves both the public and scholars, work as a catalyst for peace in the troubled Middle East, act as a quasi-national library for a country that has none, and help boost the economy of Alexandria. (Chepesiuk, 1994, 42)
Working in cooperation with the Egyptian government, UNESCO became involved in the project in 1986, and by 1987 had prepared a preliminary study setting 1995 as the target date for completion of the project. Egyptian President Mubarak laid the libraryÕs cornerstone on June 26, 1988, symbolically marking the building phase of the project. In 1988 UNESCO organized an international architectural competition, under the supervision of the International Union of Architects, for the design of the library complex. The United Nations became involved in the financial aspect of the competition. By 1989, 1334 entries from 77 countries were received with the Norwegian architectural company, Snohetta, submitting the winning design (42). SnohettaÕs design prevailed due to the unique and symbolic concept behind their design, Òa single circle, the image of the ancient Egyptian sun, inclined towards the sea, and illuminating the world and human cultureÓ (43). The design called for the building to be primarily underground, with a glass roof that would provide sunlight. However, after surveying the ten-acre site provided by the Egyptian government, architects had to eliminate the lowest subterranean level due to possible water and sewage problems. The projected completion date of 1995 elapsed without a finished library due in part to ÒEgyptÕs cumbersome bureaucracyÓ and power struggles and differences between UNESCO and the Egyptian government (Chepesiuk, 1998, 84). Archeological excavations of the site conducted between 1992 and 1994 also caused a delay. Several other deadlines were rescheduled before the library finally opened to the public on October 20, 2002. An official inauguration had been planned for April 23-25, 2002 but was cancelled after a shooting occurred at the nearby Alexandrina University (Chepesiuk, 2003, 84).
The budget for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina was a major concern for the completion of the project. Initial estimates were projected at $180 million excluding the land, which was valued at $80 million. The breakdown included $100 million for construction costs, $30 million for periodicals and books, and $20 million for equipment (Chepesiuk, 1994, 43). Final projections placed figures over $220 million. Fundraising caused many challenges but caught the attention of governments of major countries, including France, Italy, Japan, Norway, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, and several Arab countries. Many private organizations donated money and materials and friends groups emerged throughout the world (Chepesiuk, 2003, 84).
Bringing the Ancient Library of Alexandria into the modern era required the Bibliotheca Alexandrina to be a state-of-the-art facility. The building itself has a total of 566,899 square feet of floor space and contains 13 floors. The library is fully automated and has a staff of 530 workers, of whom about 200 are librarians. The library has the capacity to hold 8 million volumes, currently holds about 500,000 volumes, and began with an initial collection of 200,000. The collection includes books, manuscripts, maps, and a full range of audiovisual materials (85). The major objectives in creating the collection were to gather materials connected to the Middle East and Mediterranean culture, Egypt, and Alexandria specifically, and works pertaining to historical and modern scholarship, particularly science and mathematics (Salem, 1991, 389). Six museums, a planetarium, and a 3000-seat conference center are included in the library complex. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina also contains a library for the blind that will translate Arabic and Latin into Braille and an International School for Information Science (Chepesiuk, 2003, 85).
It is still too early to tell whether the Bibliotheca Alexandrina will live up to the legacy of its predecessor. The political and economic climate of the region could threaten the stability of the library. However, the library could become a symbol of hope and peace in the region and provide much needed services for surrounding areas.
Chepesiuk, R. (2003). Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Against the Grain, 15(1), 84-6.
Chepesiuk, R. (1998). The Bibliotheca Alexandrina: A progress report on the revival of an ancient dream. Against the Grain, 10 (4), 84+.
Chepesiuk, R. (2000). Dream in the desert: AlexandriaÕs library rises again. American Libraries, 31 (4), 70-3.
Chepesiuk, R. (1994). The eighth wonder reborn: The new Alexandrian library. Wilson Library Bulletin, 68 (Feb), 42-44.
Salem, S. (1991). The revival of the Alexandria Library (Bibliotheca Alexandrina): a unique project of the twenty-first century. Journal of Information Science, 17 (6), 385-393.
Tocatlian, J. (1991). Bibliotheca Alexandrina-Reviving a legacy of the past for a brighter common future. International Library Review, 23 , 255-269.
Evaluation of sources