The King Abdulaziz Public Library houses exceptional collections of rare books and unique editions totaling approximately (53,390) titles. The value of this collection comes from the historical significance of its publications and the uniqueness of its scientific and historical subjects. It represents a fundamental pillar of the Library’s policy to preserve printed Arab and Islamic heritage and make it available to researchers and interested individuals.
First: Rare Books Collection with European Editions
- Quranic Studies and Biography: Includes (78) books on the biography of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, (113) books containing translations of the meanings of the Holy Quran into early European languages, in addition to (55) books on Quranic studies and (54) books on Islamic sources.
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Early Arabic Printed Editions in Europe (1592–1593 AD):
These extremely rare collections highlight the Library’s commitment
to authentic heritage. They include major works such as:
- The Canon of Medicine by Ibn Sina.
- Asrar Al-Balagha (Secrets of Eloquence) by Al-Jurjani (edited by H. Ritter).
- Hawliyyat Nashr Al-Mathani by Belyounes Al-Hakim (edited by Osla Wiser).
- Commentary on Porphyry’s Isagoge by Abu Al-Faraj Ibn Al-Tayyib (edited by Kwame Gyeke).
- Islamic Astronomy by Al-Suyuti (edited by Anton M. Heinen).
- Tadbir Al-Iksir Al-A'zam (The Great Elixir) by Jabir Ibn Hayyan (edited by Pierre Lory).
- In addition to (1,560) rare books in French and English.
Second: Rare Books Collection with Arabic Editions
This collection contains (9,750) classified and catalogued Arabic book titles. Its holdings include:
- Reference sources (encyclopedias, dictionaries, and guides).
- University theses, publications, and government atlases.
- Single-copy editions and multi-volume books (more than two volumes).
- Non-print materials (microfilm, audiovisual materials, CD/DVD discs, and others).
Third: Private Library Collections (Exceptional Sources of Knowledge)
With the support and patronage of its founder, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (may Allah have mercy on him), the Library succeeded in acquiring private libraries containing some of the most valuable documents and sources. Among the most notable are:
- 1. American Orientalist George Rentz Library: Includes (3,265) books in foreign languages, in addition to numerous Arabic books. This library accurately documents the historical and geographical events of the Kingdom and the Arabian Gulf. George Rentz witnessed significant events between (1945–1963), including meetings with King Abdulaziz, World War II, the establishment of the League of Arab States, border demarcation, and the beginnings of the oil era.
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2.
Sheikh Hamza Abu Bakr Library
(Dean of the Islamic Institute in Paris):
A complete and comprehensive library containing
(21,700) titles in
(19,821) volumes.
The collection contains books, periodicals,
manuscripts, and documents in Arabic, French,
English, German, and Russian.
It covers Islamic sciences, medicine, politics,
and travel literature.
- Approximately (9,750) rare books in Arabic.
- Extremely rare French books (under inventory and classification).
- Specialized studies on Maghreb and Algerian affairs in French.
- Rich collections of international dictionaries and encyclopedias.
- 3. Multi-Source Collections: The Library also contains major works in Islamic and literary sciences, as well as travel literature describing countries, customs, and traditions. This makes it a primary destination for conducting historical research using reliable sources.
