Damascus, Dec. 02 (SANA) – The National Library of Damascus is one of Syria’s most significant cultural institutions, housing a vast collection of manuscripts and rare books that span centuries of human history. With approximately 19,400 manuscripts and 3,600 rare books, the library serves as a living repository of Syria‘s cultural and intellectual legacy.
These manuscripts are a primary source of historical and cultural knowledge, offering invaluable insights into human civilization while reinforcing Syria’s unique cultural identity. In response to the growing threat of deterioration, the library is embracing digital transformation to preserve these treasures for future generations, making them accessible digitally to safeguard the heritage from physical decay.
Safeguarding Heritage in the Digital Age
Fatima Darwisha, Director of the Manuscripts Department at the National Library, told SANA that the library maintains a dedicated section for preserving manuscripts and historical documents under strict environmental conditions.
In addition to physical preservation, the library has a Heritage Cataloging Department where staff catalog and classify both manuscripts and digital exchange discs. Researchers can access these materials through carefully organized indexes and high-quality digital images, ensuring easy and safe access without directly handling the fragile originals.
A Treasure of Ancient Texts and Rare Books
The library’s collection includes around 19,400 manuscripts and 3,600 rare books. Among its most prized holdings are ancient manuscripts, including a copy of Issues of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal from 266 AH and Description of the Fire by Ibn Abi al-Dunya from 310 AH. The collection also features pages from the Qur’an written on gazelle parchment dating back to the 2nd century AH, as well as a copy of the commentary on the Diwan of Al-Farazdaq from 331 AH.
The manuscript hall provides specialized indexes and high-resolution digital images, enabling scholars and graduate students to access these invaluable resources without exposing the delicate originals to the risks of direct handling.
Digital Access and the Future of the Library
To enhance accessibility, the library has developed a digital platform that allows researchers both in Syria and abroad to access its digital resources. These efforts are part of a broader plan to make the library’s collection available to a global audience while preserving the integrity of the physical manuscripts.
Global Collaborations
The library has maintained long-standing collaborations with international research centers specializing in manuscripts, such as the Juma Al-Majed Center and the Al-Babtain Center. Darwisha noted that the current administration is working to revive and expand these relationships, further strengthening the library’s role as a global center for manuscript preservation and research. Additionally, the library is exchanging digital images of manuscripts with scholars both within Syria and abroad.
The National Library of Damascus is not just a repository of ancient texts; it is a vital center for preserving Syria’s cultural history. Through its digital transformation efforts, the library ensures that these invaluable artifacts are shared with the world while safeguarding them for future generations.
