Written by Riham Aida Mokrani (2024)

INtroduction

The Egyptian National Library is the largest library in Egypt and is divided into two sites: one at the Corniche, which holds the physical material and another at Bab al-Khalq which holds a small reference section, yet more importantly, microfilms of manuscripts. The Corniche thus houses the largest portion of the manuscript collection, as well as portions of the national archives, books, and periodicals. The Corniche also holds high-quality image of certain folios from its manuscript collection.

The library at Corniche is open Sunday through Thursday from 9.00am to 4.00pm, but the manuscript reading room closes at 3.00pm.

Location: Google Maps.

GOING THERE

The library is located in the neighborhood of Bulaq along the Corniche at the Nile. The best way to reach it is by taxi, Uber, or Didi.

GETTING IN

At the entrance of the building, you will need to deposit your physical passport in exchange for an entry badge. Afterward, head to the Manuscript Department on the 4th floor, accessible by stairs or elevator. Once there, you will be required to leave your bag and any belongings in the open lockers at the entrance. However, you can keep essential items such as your computer, phone, notebook, and papers.

Finding your material

It is highly recommended to know the shelfmark of the manuscript you wish to consult as finding materials without this information can be challenging. There is no onsite catalog, unlike at Bab al-Khalq. You might therefore need to stop by at Bab al-Khalq prior to going to the Corniche.

Ordering your material

To access manuscripts or high-quality images, you must bring your physical student card along with a photocopy of it. Additionally, you must present an official letter from your university, written in Arabic, detailing the purpose of your visit and research in order to be granted access to the materials. Once you’ve been granted access, consult the librarians onsite who will fetch your materials.

There is no limit to the number of manuscripts one can consult or view images of in a single day. However, this will depend on the workload the curators can handle, especially if there are other visitors in the department.

Ordering scans

Taking pictures is strictly forbidden in the Reading Room. Some high-quality images are available at the Corniche, but for most reproductions, the Bab al-Khalq section is the primary location. The cost of scanning for students is 9 EGP per image. If your order does not exceed 500 EGP, you can pay at the cashier on the 5th floor and return with your receipt to collect your CD. Please note that uploading and downloading images may take time, and you might need to return the following day. 


There is a limit of three images per manuscript; it may vary for other types of materials.

For orders exceeding 500 EGP, you must first go to the 5th floor for a cost calculation, then proceed to the basement to make the payment at the Notary’s Office. Payment requires an Egyptian Visa card. Foreign Visa cards are not accepted, so please plan accordingly.

Food and well-being

The library is located in a business area with hotels and office buildings, so finding restaurants nearby can be difficult. However, if you walk further to the residential streets behind the building, you might find local grocery shops. The library is also situated across the entrance to the "Mamsha Ahl Misr," a walking area along the Corniche, where you may find restaurants and trendy coffee shops.

The Reading Room is comfortable and stays cool during the summer.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS

It is advisable to plan at least a week ahead prior to your visit to avoid last-minute paperwork issues, as the process of gaining access can take time. One important rule to keep in mind is that phones are strictly forbidden in the Reading Room. Additionally, depending on the sensitivity of the documents you wish to consult, access may require a longer administrative process or, in some cases, may be denied.

However, regardless of your research, it is worth attempting to gain access as the library staff makes every effort to accommodate researchers within the framework of the regulations.