On the national front, Dr. El Feki served as Secretary of Information and Follow-up to the President of Egypt, and the Director of the Egyptian Institute for Diplomatic Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. El Feki was honored by the Egyptian government with several medals, including the Order of the Nile in Social Science (2010), the State Merit Prize in Social Science (2003), and the State Incentive Prize in Political Science (1993), as well as several international honors.
Dr. El Feki has authored more than 40 books in politics and culture, and in 2021 he published his renowned book "The Story… A Journey of Time and Place ", which caused wide echoes and multiple editions. More than 30 writers, thinkers and scholars commented on it in the first weeks of its publication. Dr. El Feki is one of the most prominent Egyptian writers. For the last 50 years, Dr. El Feki has published articles in many leading Egyptian and international journals and magazines. Dr. El Feki has been a permanent guest in a number of political and talk shows during the last few decades.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, as with its peers around the world, has exerted great efforts in keeping the connection with its patrons during these challenging times. While many organizations, libraries and institutes the world over looked to address the challenges of the digital needs that social distancing quickly imposed upon us; the Bibliotheca Alexandrina had the advantage of being “born digital”.
The Digital Assets Repository (DAR – http://dar.bibalex.org/webpages/dar.jsf) was developed to maintain the library's digital collections, and contains the largest collection of Arabic books in the world. Our patrons were therefore able to continue accessing many of the BA’s collection in an interactive manner; even being able to share over social media, depending on the book’s copyright status.
In a similar manner, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina began online book clubs as well as streaming videos and live sessions where information professionals share their experiences in many diverse topics. Indeed, one of the first interactive panel discussions was organized under the title "The Corona Pandemic and its Local, Regional and International Repercussions"
Many similar seminars and lectures were organized virtually, as well as providing our audiences with continued access to cultural and artistic works and performance through the BA’s YouTube channel and through live streaming, as well as conducting live tours of our museums and galleries.
Our younger patrons were also included in our virtual efforts through online story-telling presented by famous children’s literature writers. They were also given guidance regarding information sites that help them develop personal and cultural skills. methods of learning languages and links that benefit them in distance learning. Of course, we also provided valuable information on ways to help prevent the virus, and how to maintain their general health.
Not only did the Bibliotheca Alexandrina work on providing access to our own facilities, but we also cooperated with other national institutions. In cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the BA launched the Giza Zoo website; to provide virtual access to the zoo holdings, providing the site’s users with information about the history of the zoo and the animals in both Arabic and English.
These are all mere examples of the vast number of initiatives undertaken to minimize the divide that the Covid-19 virus imposed on our societies.
ARTICLE 1, of Law No. 1 of 2001, concerning the Library of Alexandria, states: “The Library of Alexandria is a public juridical person headquartered in the city of Alexandria, attached to the President. It is an Egyptian center of cultural radiance, a beacon for thought, culture and science, encompassing all the products of the human mind in all languages, from all cultures, ancient and modern.”
Accordingly, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina from its conception was born to be a beacon for thought and mankind. Indeed, this is not dissimilar to its ancient predecessor which in its own right was a center for intellectual thought and discussion, and a homing place for renowned scientists and philosophers from around the ancient world.
What that essentially means is that the BA, and other libraries too of course, are a center for thought, study, discussion and dialogue and the ensuing dissemination of all that produces to the greater communities. This needs to be at all levels, and for all ages. We are the motivators, the playmakers, and the enablers, that bring together the people, the space, the resources and the tools that allow for innovation, understanding, creativity and enlightenment.
The qualifications of librarians can be found in books and code of ethics; but through our experience, librarians should both feel and believe in the importance of the role they play in their communities. Libraries are not a store for books and resources, they are much more than that. They are the source of awareness in the society and this covers all fields; economic, health, education, political, etc.
Librarians have a range of expertise in most domains, if not all, and are connected to the highest profile professionals and experts from all over the world which allows them to always be updated and provide the best lecturers in every subject pertinent to the society at any given time.
Essentially, a “good librarian” is a librarian who has an impact on the community they serve.
The design concept for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina was brought about during an open call by the international UNESCO competition. The winners were a small Norwegian firm Snøhetta, who were successfully able to embrace the simplicity of today’s modern world, and incorporate the symbolism of the library as a beacon of knowledge; all while capturing the spirit of its ancient predecessor.
So, the main building represents the rising sun on the horizon of the Mediterranean shore (a new day, and new findings) while its circular shape denotes the never-ending circle of knowledge; with the Planetarium represent the Earth orbiting the Sun. An eternity bridge connects the Library to the University and projects out towards the sea in a never-ending quest to seek information and learning.
Externally, the main building proudly displays the different symbols and historical alphabets of humankind, etched into its granite expanse. The façade a reflective representation of the ancient lighthouse summoning its visitors towards its doors. Internally, the Library’s patrons are reminded of its glorious past through the lotus shaped columns that adorn the main reading hall, itself similar to a large Amphitheatre of the era; the alcoves in the internal wall that represent the openings where the ancient scrolls were kept; and the use of the materials and colours native to the African continent through Zimbabwe Granite and copper coloured metallic walls.
The entire site also benefits from being located in the historic Royal Quarters of the Alexandria, in the vicinity of where the ancient Library of Alexandria once stood. That is magical in itself.
The protection of cultural and natural heritage, traditional knowledge and intangible heritage is a key mission of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. These areas represent pillars of knowledge and are a source of human productivity that should be protected and disseminated through generations. Accordingly, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina houses a specific center for the documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CULTNAT) using creative methods to showcase and preserve our rich heritage content, including our patented Culturama interactive 9-screen projection; the Wall of Knowledge which assists in documenting and displaying heritage using a mobile application and a printed wall plate; as well as many other projects which have been applied throughout the past 20 years including methods of documentation and developing of content through 3D reconstructions and holograms. These digital projects work hand in hand with the increasing bank of culture heritage documentation through databases and books.
Most recently, the BA has achieved three tremendous projects in the field of cultural and natural heritage: a new method of tablet animated movies for museum showcase displays has been created in NMEC Museum; the Culturama show in El Baron Empain Museum; and the launch of the websites for Islamic Cairo and the Zoo. Indeed, the touch screen application for displays has also been implemented in the New Capital Museum.
The main problem we currently face is the lack of sufficiently qualified human resources. We are trying overcome this through mutual internship schemes, which can be achieved with other libraries around the world, as well as volunteering programs for capacity building and training new generations in this field; to ensure the continuity of valuing, protecting and documenting traditional knowledge and cultural and natural heritage.
Libraries should care about the quality and format of digitally acquired objects such as images, audio, video and others, for future use. These digital objects in turn need to be properly catalogued to be able to make them findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina has been digitizing media objects for numerous years. The BA has an extensive digital lab process with over 100 employees that produces 30,000 digital objects annually. Its current collections include over 600,000 objects.
The BA has a great responsibility in developing the role of libraries in serving its communities, not only on the national level but also on the regional level. The BA specially developed this role since 2007 when it was selected to be the IFLA representative in the Arab world. We have since then established a strong connection with the Egyptian Library Association on the national level and provided numerous training opportunities on Strong Library Association and Advocacy for Libraries as partners in development. The field of Librarianship in Egypt has witnessed great improvement in the services provided to its users in quality and creativity, as well as in relevance to their needs and to the continuing evolution of technology. This was especially apparent during the last couple of years during the Covid-19 crisis when most libraries adapted to the situation and continued to provide their services remotely.
Equally networks were strengthened with many regional entities such as AFLI, AFLIA, and the SLA Gulf Chapter, amongst others; representing the Library and Information field in the MENA and Africa and Gulf regions. The BA organized many regional workshops and professional development training programmes as well as sharing knowledge and providing simultaneous translations in Arabic during IFLA international conferences.
Libraries have always acted as an informal educator helping the government reach their goal for education. Libraries represent the reliable source of information, a safe venue with a wide geographical existence, a well-equipped place with a stable internet connection that help minimize the digital divide and allow equal access to everyone. The BA has a long history in serving its community of students and researchers from the school phase to the post graduate phase.
We work on updating our collection regularly according to the needs of our users as well as the latest available resources worldwide. In addition, we provide continuous training and support to assist students and researchers in their work.
The BA also developed an online platform using “MOODEL” that offers a high standard group of courses, lectures, as well as professional diplomas in Arabic, English, and French.
We work closely with schools on different programs such as Teachers 2030 and School Librarians 2030. In these programs we provide teachers and librarians with the knowledge needed for new teaching trends and online learning platforms.
Libraries serve their surrounding communities to the greatest extent, and the BA is no different. But the Bibliotheca Alexandrina has the added objective to serve on an international level; aspiring to be the World’s window on Egypt, and Egypt’s window on the world. As such, the BA shows how libraries can create bridges between cultures and people through providing a common ground for discussion; through carrying international collections, and providing ample digital content of its own kind to share with other countries.
In parallel, the BA offers numerous opportunities for its patrons to glimpse other cultures through visiting artistic performances and exhibitions. Indeed, the Ba takes pride in commemorating great national and international figures, through diverse activities that appeal to intellectuals and the general public alike.
It is important to note that many of the activities related to intercultural exchange and understanding need to begin from a young age in order to instill the sense of mutual respect for different cultures, and in turn promote tourism. The BA’s dedicated Children’s Library and Young People’s Library do just that by embarking on projects with schools and children from around the world, on digital platforms and through collaborating on joint projects. As the children engage on common projects, they naturally learn more about each other’s countries and traditions.
Cultural exchange is one of the natural pillars of foreign relations. Egypt is a part of the Belt Road Initiative. In the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, we are taught how China has been, and still is, a great supporter of Egypt, during both war and peace. China is well known to be a leading country in the developing world, especially towards humanity, equality, and development. The role of the library in this instance, is to continually shed light on the different culture arounds us and open spaces for mutual dialogue and exchange.
