Callima is an online reference service offered by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina to anybody all over the world in 3 languages: English, Arabic and French.
Callima is derived from Callimachus, the name of the author of the first catalog of the ancient library of Alexandria (Pinakes; the first library catalog in the world). Through Pinakes, a library patron could find out if the ancient library of Alexandria contained works by a particular author, how they were categorized, and where they might be found. In Arabic, Callima bears a further meaning: “word”.
Through this service you can ask all kinds of questions, whether about document references or about factual information. The scope of Callima service does not include the provision of religious, legislative, legal, or medical consultations, neither does it provide writing academic/professional researches nor complete school assignments.
Here, you can ask a question and get an answer by a Bibliotheca Alexandrina Reference Librarian within 3 to 7 working days. Some inquiries, along their answers, may be added to a frequently-asked questions (FAQs) list. Such list is prepared by our reference librarians to easily retrieve comprehensive answers; however, it does not include any users’ personal data. You can also read first the answers to questions that you or other library users have previously asked by checking our FAQs; you might already find the reply to your question there.
If your question is not listed in the FAQs list, please click on 'Ask a Question'. For questions related to how to use Callima, please visit 'How to Use Callima?' For questions about technical problems, please click 'Contact Us” on the top menu bar and report your technical problem.
Please read the Terms and Conditions.