About The Library

The King Abdul-Aziz Public Library is a charity founded by King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, on 27 March 1985 AD (5 Rajab 1405 AH), and opened by him on 27 February 1987 (10 Rajab 1408), to look after matters relating to the book and those who benefit from it.

The Library’s legal architecture was completed with the granting of royal approval on 21 June 1996 AD (4 Safar 1417 AH) to the establishment of a charity under the name the King Abdul-Aziz Public Library to provide, organize and facilitate the use of and make available to researchers and scholars the sources of human knowledge. The Library is currently a full-fledged cultural and knowledge structure, with modern systems and diverse information containers, to facilitate access by researchers and scholars to the treasures of Arab and foreign knowledge. The Library provides excellent library and information services and the highest standards for women and children through a women's library and a children's library at its headquarters, and similar facilities at its Murabba’ branch, as well as a branch of reference services on Kharis Road in Riyadh, and two other branches: the King Abdul-Aziz Al Sa’ud Foundation for Islamic Studies and Humanities in Casablanca, Morocco; and the King Abdul-Aziz Public Library Branch in Beijing University, People's Republic of China.

The Library has a keen interest in documenting the history of Saudi Arabia, and in particular the history of King Abdul-Aziz, whose name it has the honour to bear. It also monitors the Arab and Islamic heritage, seeking to contribute to it, revive it and publicise it in a way that suits the spirit and requirements of the times, and promotes studies of Arab literature, Saudi heritage, library and information studies, equine and equestrian studies and all that concerns the largest segment of society’s beneficiaries. The Library has distinct scientific and cultural activities that contribute to the community through symposia, lectures, exhibitions, participation in religious, national and social events, supporting scientific research, writing, translation and publishing, developing children's culture, and providing information services for women.

The Library is developing strong relationships with information institutions both inside and outside the Kingdom. The Library has been honoured with the implementation of major cultural projects, such as: the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz International Translation Award; the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China; the Unified Arab Index; the Arab Digital Library; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Encyclopaedia; the National Cultural Project for the Renewal of Our Relationship with the Book; the Children's Book Club and the Arabic-Chinese digital library, etc.

Vision

To provide an ideal environment for study, reading, research, innovation and adult education in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and with the purpose of creating knowledge.

The Message

Paying attention to reading, disseminating knowledge, cognitive empowerment of society, achieving enlightenment and the ability to interact with global civilizations, and spreading the culture of innovation and creativity among members of society.

Mission

To concern itself with reading, spreading and empowering knowledge in the community, to achieve enlightenment and the ability to internalise the variables of the digital age, and to link the civilisation of the Kingdom to the civilisations of the world.

Goals

• Spread the culture.
• Preserve the heritage.
• Knowledge Industry.
• Civilization Communication.
• Social Responsibility.

King Abdulaziz Public Library in Numbers

Numbers That Reflect Leadership... Achievements That Shape the Future

As one of the world's leading centers of knowledge and culture, the King Abdulaziz Public Library takes pride in achieving remarkable milestones that reflect its profound cultural impact:

The Largest Arabic Knowledge Repository: We proudly preserve more than 5.2 million knowledge resources, including rare manuscripts, the latest scientific publications, and unique collections that safeguard the cultural memory of the Arab world.
Broad Community Impact: Every year, we serve more than 1,000,000 beneficiaries through an integrated ecosystem of library services, digital databases, cultural and scientific initiatives, and educational programs designed for all segments of society.