History
The library is an integral part of the German Institute of Oriental Studies, which was established in 1961. During the first years of existence, the library experienced a continuous and rapid growth, turning it into one of the major tools of research for Orientalist and Middle Eastern regional studies. Growth slowed down after the outbreak of the Civil War (1975-1991): Importing Western specialist literature became more difficult, though books and periodicals from the Arab book markets could still be procured. In 1987, the German members of the Institute had to move to Istanbul, only to come back in 1994/95. During that interval a second institute and a second library, specialising in the Turkish world, was established.
Holdings
Books and periodicals are in major Western and Middle Eastern languages with Arabic dominant. Despite its chequered history, the library houses an important collection of primary sources and scholarly studies. Gaps, caused by years of war and the establishment of a second library, are gradually filled.
In accordance with the traditional orientation of German Orientalism, the original interest lay on Classical Islamic Studies with an emphasis on Sunni Islam. Regional and Contemporary Studies and Shia Islam found prominence later.
The library holds a comprehensive collection of texts and monographs in Koranic and Hadith studies, in Islamic theology and law, in philosophy and mysticism. It documents the history of natural sciences and mathematics in the Islamic world. Islamic art history is collected as well.
In the fields of history and social sciences all periods of Islamic history are well represented. Holdings are especially rich for modern times, reflecting the growing interest in the contemporary Arab and Islamic world. There are two special collections: one on Lebanon, the other on Indian Islam (Nizamuddin Collection). The history of Eastern Christianity is an additional field of interest and collection.
Classical Arabic literature has been a favourite field of research for German orientalism since its beginnings. This is well reflected in the library’s holdings. Modern Arabic literature is documented in the "Archive of Modern Arabic Literature".
Semitic Philology, which had lost some ground, is now collected again.
The library is particularly rich in periodicals. Besides of well-established scholarly journals, its holdings include academic, religious, political, cultural and literary periodicals from all parts of the Middle East. Some of the sets are of great rarity and completeness. The periodical collection comprises around 1700 titles while the complete library holds around 125 000 volumes.
Books will not be borrowed. Admission to the library is by application only.
Address
Orient-lnstitut Beirut - LibraryCatalogue information
Texts in Arabic script are transcribed according to the rules of the DMG.
Most of the catalogueing was done according to the rules of the Preussische Instruktionen (PI), others follow the Regeln für die alphabetische Katalogisierung in wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken (RAK – WB). Sorting was done following RAK.