Prophet’s Mosque Library Offers Expansive Access to Manuscripts, Digital Resources
According to Sabq.org, the library is one of the leading centers of knowledge in the Muslim world. Combining a large archive of rare manuscripts and reference works with digital research tools, the library aims to preserve Islamic written heritage through modern infrastructure.
Founded in 1933 (1352 AH) on the recommendation of Obaid Madani, then-director of Medina’s endowments, the library predates its official founding date, as some books had already been kept in the Rawdah Sharifah area.
The library includes separate reading halls for men, women, and children; a section for rare manuscripts; an audio library preserving lessons and sermons delivered in the Prophet Mosque; and a technical unit responsible for the repair and binding of materials. There are also departments for cataloging, collection development, periodicals, and storage.
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A dedicated section holds rare books, selected based on publication history, decoration, physical structure, or illustrations. The digital section allows users to access the library’s catalog and explore Islamic websites, including other digital Islamic libraries, using Wi-Fi-connected computers.
The collection features more than 182,000 books in 71 academic categories across 23 languages. It includes over 143,000 digital titles and 43 million digital pages. Seventy computers are available to support academic research.
Some of the library’s holdings were lost in a mosque fire on 13 Ramadan 886 AH, but many valuable data-x-items remain, including handwritten Qurans and rare manuscripts.
Open 24/7 near Gate 10 on the mosque’s western side, the library is operated under the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
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