Arab Electronic Libraries: Offering Millions of Digital Books via the Internet

Abstract

This article examines the development of Arab electronic libraries in light of technological progress and the spread of the Internet. It shows how digital technologies have transformed the concept of the library from a traditional paper-based space into an electronic environment capable of storing, processing, and providing access to books, documents, and other information resources through networks. The author focuses on the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s project to establish a large Arabic digital library as an initiative aimed at supporting Arab culture, preserving books, references, maps, images, and rare materials from loss or damage, and making them available to students, researchers, and the wider public. The article also discusses search and browsing mechanisms in digital libraries, including access by author, title, subject, and keywords, as well as issues related to intellectual property rights and print-on-demand services. It further presents examples of Arab and international electronic libraries and websites, including the Arab Electronic Library and Al-Azhar’s online library, emphasizing the importance of digitizing Arab and Islamic heritage and rare manuscripts to ensure that Arab culture keeps pace with the digital age.