Around eighty-four public libraries exist in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, spreading across its provinces, governorates, and cities. These libraries provide services to all segments of society for free. They are visited by students from various educational stages, researchers, and anyone interested in reading and expanding their knowledge in various fields. As part of its strategy, the Libraries Commission plans to increase the number of public libraries to 153 by 2030 and develop them to include many elements such as a fully equipped theater for theatrical, musical, and cinematic performances, training halls for cultural and artistic workshops, and open reading areas.
Prominent public libraries in the Kingdom:
King Fahd National Library in Riyadh: It has significantly contributed to documenting national heritage and local cultural production. It was converted into the National Library of the Kingdom based on a proposal by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz. The library's total area was 21,000 m², then it expanded to 87,000 m², enabling it to house more than three million books.
Library of the Holy Mosque in Makkah al-Mukarramah: It is one of the earliest libraries in the Islamic world. It houses approximately 5,600 volumes, encompassing 15,000 titles, eight thousand manuscripts, and three thousand journals within an area of about one thousand m². The library includes sections for men, women, children, and individuals with disabilities. It also features several facilities such as the cataloging and classification department, the acquisitions department, the periodicals department, the binding department, and the microfilm department.
King Fahd Public Library in Jeddah: It houses a variety of books and resources used for research and reading. It features the Youth Library, which offers a selection of books, magazines, and suitable programs; the Women's Library, serving as a cultural meeting place for women with a range of books and programs to enrich their minds; the Children's Library, aimed at meeting the intellectual needs of children; and the Basir Library, dedicated to individuals with visual impairments.
King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh: It is a private charitable institution established by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It was inaugurated in 1987 and is considered the largest Arabic repository, containing more than five million printed knowledge resources.
King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah: It consists of thirty-four endowment libraries, including prominent ones such as the Library of the Holy Quran, the Public Library of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, and the Mahmudiya Library. It contains handwritten Qurans, rare manuscripts, around 25,000 rare books, and over one hundred thousand printed books.
Tabuk Public Library: It houses over 35,000 titles, including books, references, periodicals, pamphlets, manuscripts, documents, and audiovisual materials in multiple languages. The library spans an area of 3,500 m² and consists of three floors.
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