Private Libraries in Saudi Arabia

Private Libraries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are collections established by individuals using their funds, primarily for the benefit, interest, and culture of the public. These libraries are spread across various cities in the Kingdom, including Riyadh, Makkah al-Mukarramah, Jeddah, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, Taif, al-Ahsa, al-Qatif, Abha, al-Bahah, as well as smaller towns and villages.

Prominent figures, including kings, merchants, writers, and intellectuals, have taken an interest in establishing private libraries in their palaces and homes for their personal use. These libraries can be classified into three types: public libraries open to anyone, semi-public libraries that allow friends, acquaintances, scholars, and researchers to access their collections, and private libraries reserved exclusively for the owners.

The concept of private libraries dates back to the early Islamic civilization, with examples like the library of Yahya Bin Ali al-Munajjim near Baghdad and Ibn Hamdan's library in Mosul during the fourth century AH. Although they were private libraries, they opened their doors to the public, provided researchers with ink, pens, and paper, and provided them with accommodation and expenses. Some private libraries in the Kingdom, and school libraries in the western region, provided access to students.

Private libraries in homes existed before the establishment of public libraries by the state. At that time, with formal education not yet widespread, homes often served educational, cultural, and social purposes. Notable private libraries during the reign of the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud included King Abdulaziz's library, Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulrahman's library, Sheikh Ibrahim al-Khatini's library, Hassouna al-Bosati's library, Sheikh Hamoud Bin Hussein al-Shughaili's library, Rabat Mazhar's library, Sayyid Safi al-Alawi's library, Sheikh Saleh al-Salem's library, Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Muhaimid's library, Sheikh Abdulsattar al-Dehlawi's library, Sheikh Abdulwahab al-Dehlawi's library, Sheikh Omar Bin Hassan Al al-Sheikh's library, Mohammed Sarour al-Sabban's library, Mohammed Nassif's library, Al Abdulqader's library, and Sheikh Yousef Bin Rashid al-Mubarak's library, etc.

After the death of their owners, the fate of private libraries may follow different paths:

- Donation to Larger Libraries: Some private libraries have been donated to King Fahd National Library, including Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Al-Manea's library, with 5,480 books and one thousand documents and records of correspondence and telegrams with kings and scholars, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khamis' library, containing around 7,740 books, and Sheikh Othman Bin Hamad al-Haqeel's library, one of the largest donated private libraries, with approximately 7,400 books on religion and Arab heritage. Other examples include the personal library of Mohammed Hussein Zaidan, with 4,420 books, Fawzan Bin Abdulaziz al-Fawzan's library, with 4,470 books, Dr. Ibrahim al-Salloum's library, with 4,890 books, the library of artist Mohammed Mousa al-Salim, which is rich in books on history, literature, fine arts, and stamps, the library of the writer Mohammed Mansour al-Shaqha, which includes 8,960 books, and the library of the bookseller Ahmed Issa Kallas, with five thousand books, and the libraries of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz al-Anqari, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Omar Al al-Sheikh, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed al-Nasban, Sheikh Hussein Bin Abdullah al-Juraissi, historian Saad al-Jnaidel, and thinker Abdullah al-Qasimi.

Saudi universities have also received collections of private libraries. For instance, King Saud University in Riyadh City acquired the library of the scholar al-Zarkali and the library of the poet Mohammed Bin Ahmed al-Aqili. The central library at King Faisal University in al-Ahsa obtained several private libraries, including those of Dr. Mohammed Saleh and Sayyid Ahmed al-Hashem. Literary clubs in the Kingdom have also benefited from private libraries, including literary clubs in Makkah al-Mukarramah which received the private library of poet Hussein Arab, housing thousands of Arabic volumes in literature, history, and Islamic studies.

- Private libraries can also be sold to larger libraries or institutions specializing in valuable books, or small book dealers.

- In some cases, private libraries are kept intact, such as Sheikh Hamad al-Jasser's library, which was moved from his home in Riyadh City to Hamad al-Jasser Cultural Center.