The Palestinian National Library (Arabic: المكتبة الوطنية الفلسطينية) is a national library located in Ramallah, in the West Bank, Palestine. It was also known as the National Library of Palestine. It was established in 2019 and located in Surda, a village near Ramallah.[1] The library covers an area of 4,700 square meters and served as a repository of Palestinian cultural heritage and knowledge.[2]
| Palestinian National Library | |
|---|---|
| المكتبة الوطنية الفلسطينية | |
 The Palestinian National Library in Ramallah | |
 | |
| 31°56′02″N 35°11′40″E / 31.933906°N 35.194363°E | |
| Location | Surda, Ramallah, Palestine |
| Type | National library |
| Established | 2019 |
| Collection | |
| Items collected | Books, journals, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other materials related to Palestinian history, culture, and society |
| Size | 200,000+ |
| Other information | |
| Director | Issa Qaraqe |
Ehab Bessaiso was appointed as the first chairperson of the library in 2019.[3] He was later replaced by Issa Qaraqe.[4]
The library's collection includes books, journals, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other materials related to Palestinian history, culture, and society. The library also collects materials related to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian diaspora. It is the largest library in Palestine and at its founding held more than 200,000 books and other items.[5][6] The library joined the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions in January 2023.[citation needed]
Since its foundation, the library has struggled to obtain sufficient funding to cover operating costs and staff salaries.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Palestinian National Library to Replace Hospitality Palace, Spurs Debate Rather than Celebration".
- ^ "The National Library of Palestine receives its first collection of historical photographs documenting Palestine".
- ^ "Palestinians to turn presidential palace into national library". 27 August 2017.
- ^ "Israeli Occupation looted manuscripts, books about Palestine's history: Palestinian National Library". Egypt Today. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Palestinian National Library to collect Palestine's scattered archives - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East". 24 October 2019.
- ^ Kholi, Alaa (2019). "Palestine National Library".
- ^ https://mds.marshall.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1055&context=lib_faculty
