Heritage Library at QNL
Doha, Qatar: In a testament to its commitment to preserving and promoting cultural heritage, Qatar National Library’s (QNL) Heritage Library has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. The library’s collection now boasts over 3,500 Islamic manuscripts, along with 500 calligraphic panels and artifacts.
Also, the collection at QNL’s Heritage Library is highly popular among both public and researchers; its unique and comprehensive nature, coupled with the library’s efforts to promote accessibility and engagement, have contributed to its growing popularity, Director of Distinctive Collections at the Library, Stephane J. Ipert told The Peninsula.
“Since its opening, the collection at QNL’s Heritage Library has experienced significant growth. Through acquisitions, donations, and collaborative partnerships, we have expanded our collections to include a diverse range of materials that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Qatar and the region,” he said.
In recent years, notable additions have contributed to the expansion of Heritage Library’s collection. These include nearly 100 leaves from very early copies holy Quran, dating from the 7th to 10th century CE, which hold immense historical and religious significance. The Library has also acquired a substantial collection of manuscripts on Islamic sciences, including autographs, providing valuable resources for researchers and scholars.
“In 2022, we acquired approximately 40 physical items, including a Chinese Qur’anic manuscript from the late 18th to early 19th century. This manuscript features Arabic text and contains a prayer book of verses, along with sayings of the Prophet (PBUH).
“Additionally, generous donations from Qatari families have greatly enhanced our collections, including personal correspondence, papers related to marriages and deaths, and business contracts. Of significant historical importance, the donated books include two items that belonged to Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of Qatar,” said Ipert.
The ongoing partnership with the British Library has played a crucial role in expanding the Library’s digital collections. “The collection at QNL’s Heritage Library is highly popular among both the general public and researchers. Its unique and comprehensive nature, coupled with the library’s efforts to promote accessibility and engagement, have contributed to its growing popularity,” said Ipert.
“In addition, QNL has made substantial progress in digitizing its manuscript collection since its opening four years ago. All digitized items, including manuscripts, books, photographs, maps, and more, are made available through QNL’s digital repository. By providing digital access to these materials, QNL ensures widespread availability and facilitates convenient exploration and study of the collection’s contents,” he added.
