Book Fairs in Saudi Universities

Book Fairs in Saudi Universities are among the cultural events and activities held at many public universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Organized by the Deanship of Library Affairs at each university, these fairs feature participation from publishing houses, government and private institutions, and charitable organizations.

Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University hosts an annual book fair that includes programs, discussion sessions, and training workshops, in addition to book signings. The fair takes place at the university's central library. The fair aims to promote a culture of reading and knowledge among university members and women in the community, attract publishing houses and bookstores to gather in one place, market the university's central library, introduce its services, and meet the interests of the target groups by organizing various cultural programs.

King Abdulaziz University hosts a university book fair that provides discounted packages of preparatory year course materials for both scientific and literary tracks, as well as university textbooks for all educational levels. This ensures that male and female students have easy access to the required materials.

The Book and Information Fair at the Islamic University in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah is one of the oldest local book fairs held in Saudi universities. The fair attracts individual visitors, families, and school students interested in books and various scientific and knowledge publications. The fair has introduced electronic services that offer all book titles and facilitate purchases through smartphone applications. It features a family and children’s area to instill a love and appreciation for books in children’s hearts, as well as a virtual reality section. The cultural program accompanying the fair includes seminars and workshops. It also hosts cultural figures.

King Faisal University in al-Ahsa Governorate organizes its book fair, attracting publishing houses, libraries, Saudi universities, public libraries, and various governmental, private, and charitable institutions. Each edition of the fair features a guest of honor, such as King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) and al-Ahsa Literary Club. The fair also includes cultural meetings and evenings. The first edition of the university's book fair was launched in 2019.

King Khalid University in Abha hosts various book fairs, including the Academic Book Fair for female students, featuring specialized publishing houses that showcase recent scientific publications in different disciplines. The university's Deanship of Library Affairs also organizes a Medical Book Fair, displaying medical books and references.

In 2015, King Khalid University established a permanent academic book fair at the central library in the university city of Abha, where publishing houses present their medical, scientific, and theoretical publications related to the curriculum, making it easier for students to access academic references.

Since 2011, the university has also been organizing the annual Book and Information Fair, featuring dozens of publishing houses that display thousands of titles on various arts, foreign languages, Sharia, medicine, engineering, sciences, humanities, literature, law, children's books, as well as general cultural and intellectual books, and contemporary intellectual issues relevant to youth. The fair includes cultural programs, training courses, poetry evenings, and activities for children and families, as well as book signings. Each edition of the fair hosts a guest of honor. The fair also provides an audio platform for various cultural and scientific books.

In addition to publishing houses, the fair features pavilions for government entities in Aseer Province to showcase their publications and brochures. These entities include the Institute of Public Administration, Abha Literary Club, Abha Public Library, and Khamis Mushayt Public Library.

The annual book fair organized by al-Jawf University, held in the hall adjacent to the Women’s Colleges Complex in Sikaka, attracts dozens of publishing houses that display books in both Arabic and English. These books cover various fields of applied sciences, as well as religion, jurisprudence, literature, thought, philosophy, history, and multiple sciences and knowledge.

The fair also features several accompanying activities, including lectures and meetings about reading and reading experiences focused on children, and poetry evenings. Specialized institutions and entities in books and reading also participate in the fair.

In its fifth edition held in 2019, al-Jawf University launched a mobile library that travels between public squares and participates in provincial events.

Prince Sattam University launched its first book fair in 2016. The fair included pavilions for more than forty local publishing houses, as well as government institutions and charitable organizations.

Since 2014, al-Bahah University has consistently organized its annual book fair, (initially named the Book and Computer Fair). The event features participation from dozens of local and international publishing houses, Saudi universities, and government entities, many of which focus on educational materials. The fair also includes political, cultural, and social titles, as well as children's books and stories in both Arabic and English. The fair offers cultural podium activities presented by intellectuals from inside and outside the region and dedicates a corner for book signings. Additionally, the event hosts performers, academics, and athletes.

Al-Bahah University also organizes a discounted book fair, showcasing thousands of titles with discounts reaching up to 60 percent.

In 2023, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Dammam organized a unique book fair titled "Ista'zed",based on book swapping. The fair was organized by the College of Computer Science and Information Technology in collaboration with the Eastern Province Literary Club and lasted for two days. The event witnessed the distribution of over 2,500 books across various academic and literary disciplines. It also featured specialized workshops and discussion sessions. The fair aimed to maximize the use of used books, reduce their accumulation among individuals, and allow them to be exchanged for new ones, thereby enhancing the book's impact and reaching a broader audience. The initiative also aimed to strengthen students' connection with books and emphasize their importance in their academic and practical lives.

Since 2023, the University of Hafr al-Batin (UHB) has been organizing the Book and Information Fair, featuring participation from dozens of publishing houses. The fair is accompanied by cultural programs, workshops, literary evenings, and training courses.

Taif University organizes a book fair, with its first edition launched in 2016. The fair attracts publishing houses. It offers a wide range of books catering to various readers, from beginners to intermediate and advanced readers. The topics include religious books, self-development, literature, and arts. The fair hosts Saudi female writers, intellectuals, and authors. It also features a book recycling corner and another for translating novels into English, alongside cultural and artistic activities such as plays, visual arts exhibitions, and photography displays, as well as workshops.

In 2015, Taif University organized a medical book fair at the College of Medicine. It showcased medical books in various specialties. The fair featured over 1,500 medical scientific publications and volumes in both Arabic and English, in addition to displaying the necessary resources for electronic medical books.

Jazan University organizes a book fair featuring participation from dozens of publishing houses that display thousands of titles, especially those aimed at children and women. The fair includes participation from Saudi universities, literary clubs, government and private institutions, and cultural and service centers from both inside and outside the Kingdom. The fair is accompanied by cultural activities, including seminars, lectures, poetry mornings, and cultural meetings.

Taibah University in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah organizes its annual International Book and Information Fair, following the royal approval issued in 2006. The fair attracts dozens of publishing houses representing governmental and private entities from the Kingdom and Arab and Islamic countries, displaying thousands of titles in various fields of science. The fair is accompanied by cultural and artistic activities, including lectures, training courses, and cultural competitions.

Tabuk University launched its book fair in 2018 under the theme "We Read for a Promising Future", featuring the participation of eighty publishing houses, seven government entities, and four private entities. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque (now the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque) participated as a guest of honor. The fair presented thousands of books in various scientific fields, including criticism, literature, poetry, short stories, and novels, along with book signings by authors.

Qassim University launched the first edition of its Book and Computer Fair in 2006. The fair attracted fifty publishing houses and institutions accredited by the Publishers Association, offering more than fifty thousand titles.

Hail University launched its Book and Technology Fair in 2011. The fair attracts dozens of publishing houses and libraries, showcasing thousands of titles in various fields. Additionally, technology and telecommunications companies, as well as agents of computers, phones, and their accessories, participate in the fair. The event offers a variety of accompanying activities, including lectures, papers, and workshops that discuss various topics.