We have a varied collection of 2,000 rare books in English and Arabic. Many of these books are unavailable anywhere else in the region. Many have been digitized and can be viewed via the Library catalog. The information presented on this page describes the rare collections pertaining to books and manuscripts on Islamic Art and Architecture, as well as relevant information on how to access our Rare Books Room, special care and handling of those items.
A rare book is not a regular book, neither is it a museum object. The term ‘rare’ is vague, and one might assume that a book is rare due to its old age or due to the fact that it is limited in quantity. However, a rare book can be both. Not all rare books are old, but all rare books are unequivocally valuable. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between ‘antiquarian’ books and ‘rare’ books; ‘antiquarian’ is defined to be both old in age and rare, while ‘rare’ encompasses both old and new. Antiquarian book-seller Jeremy M. Norman provides a useful criterion in identifying rare books with six key points:
Source: Norman, Jeremy M. “Traditions & Culture of Collecting What Is a Rare Book?” Jeremy Norman's History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, 10 Nov. 1982, www.historyofscience.com/traditions/rare-book.php
A manuscript is an original piece of work – either handwritten or typewritten. What distinguishes a manuscript from other types of sources is it being the original and first copy of an author’s work. Reproductions or reprints of books are not considered manuscripts. Before the printing press had been introduced, all books and documents were classified as manuscripts. Manuscripts are therefore not identified according to their content, but solely on their originality. They could include books, scrolls, letters, and illuminated drawings. Older manuscripts are considered to be extremely precious as most would be not duplicated. The printing press had unequivocally changed the dynamic of written work, making documents more available than they once used to be. Illuminated Manuscripts Illuminated manuscripts are decorated and illustrated by hand using various colors. Beautiful and elaborate designs and drawings accentuate and support the adjacent texts. The earliest illuminated manuscripts can be dated back to the Middle Ages. Illuminated manuscripts were strictly produced in monasteries and were most commonly used for public or private devotion.
Rare books are not considered objects as that of a museum, however, they are treated in the same manner. Most rare books are extremely fragile and should be dealt with delicately in order to preserve their original shape and structure. It should also be noted that the rare books are kept in a specific environment to maintain their quality which is set by a professional conservator. For example, this includes the temperature and humidity of the room, and the placement of pest traps to avoid any damage to the collection. To prevent any manipulations to the items in the collection, MIA Library has provided a detailed outline of the policy and procedures of the rare book room.
In order to preserve the natural state and quality of a rare book, we must take precautions when handling them. Please read the following steps in rare book handling:
HANDLING: (poor handling procedures can cause irreparable damage)
STORING AND SHELVING: (storage methods have a direct effect on the conservation of the materials)
In today's digital world, accessing manuscripts has become much easier than it used to be. Many institutions work on digitalization projects every year, and as a result, we are able to browse the digitalized manuscripts from home. The following sites have good resources, and are highly recommended.