Spotlight on Libraries-Egypt

by Sarah Parramore , Head Editor , INALJ Middle East / Arabian Gulf

Spotlight on Libraries-Egypt

inalj picWhat is it? The New Library of Alexandria (Bibliotheca Alexandrina) 

Where is it? On the Corniche in Alexandria, Egypt http://www.bibalex.org/Home/Default_EN.aspx

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Why should you visit? 

Because this library originated in around 200 BC!!! It should be like Mecca to librarians. The new building is an amazing piece of architecture and apart from books, has 15 permanent exhibitions, 4 museums and a planetarium. There is a fee to get in (really, a fee to go to a library?), but if you’ve gone all that way, you just have to.

If you’re there, also head to the Pillars of Pompei. Underneath is a tunnel that leads to a vast cave, and I was told by locals this was the overflow library to the Alexandria Library. I think that is up for debate, but it’s still worth a look.

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