Browse Library FAQs

Why can’t we borrow/circulate books outside the library?

The Main Library collections are restricted from external circulation to preserve their research-oriented nature and ensure resource availability. However, Bibliotheca Alexandrina circulation services are exclusively granted to researchers holding an annual membership. Also note that the Children’s and Young People's libraries allow borrowing.
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Last Updated: 16 April 2026 | 0

Is the book "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne in the library?

The book you are looking for is located in B4.
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
 

Main Library Main Reading Area
Last Updated: 16 April 2026 | 0

If a book is located in the Young People’s Library, how can I obtain it as an adult?

Dear Shaimaa,
 
Thank you for your inquiry. Books located in the Young People’s Library are available for reading only within the library premises. During the school year, you may go directly to the Young People’s Library with the book’s call number. During holiday periods, the Young People's Library is busy with activities, so please approach the Reference Desk at (F1), where the reference librarian will assist you in obtaining the book.
Please note that the library’s collections are not for sale.
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Last Updated: 15 April 2026 | 0

How can I submit a copy of my thesis/dissertation to the library?

You can submit a copy of your thesis at the library premises at the staff entrance to contact one of the staff members of the unit responsible for receiving and preparing academic theses.
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Last Updated: 13 April 2026 | 0

Is there a booklet/publication related to the new library?

Please head to the library's bookshop at the main library building entrance, where you can purchase books and publications about the new library.
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Last Updated: 13 April 2026 | 0

How can I connect to the Wi-Fi network?

Choose the BA-Guest network and wait until you receive a notification.
Click the notification icon, and the browser on your phone or laptop will open.
A registration page will appear. At the end of the first registration page, click on "Create a New Account."
An electronic form will appear to create a new account. Fill in the required information to create an account, including your name, email address, and mobile number that can receive SMS messages.
Then, carefully enter the security code. Finally, agree to the terms of use.
You will receive a text message (SMS) on your mobile phone containing the email address you entered and a password.
Please return to the initial registration page and enter your email address as your username and the password sent to you via SMS.
Please note that this password is valid for 5 days, after which you will need to repeat the process.
If you are a foreigner or do not have an Egyptian mobile number, please head to the General Information Desk at the entrance (E).
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Last Updated: 13 April 2026 | 0

I am not a resident of Egypt, what services does the library offer for residents abroad?

The services that the library can offer to residents abroad are:
• Printed Library Resources These are searchable using the library's electronic catalogue, which can be accessed online. Some Arabic books are digitized and available online through the Digital Asset Repository (DAR) at dar.bibalex.org. However, copyright restrictions limit access to only the first 5% of a book's total pages from outside the library building. However, DAR allows full access to books classified as public domain (published before 1925). You can also search through Discover@BA, available on our website, to explore both our printed and electronic resources. • Digital/Electronic Library Resources Access to the full text of our electronic resources is only available within the library building. We present to you the details of the electronic reference services provided by the BA for residents abroad or remote services, which aim to support researchers in various academic and scientific fields. It is worth noting that these services are free and available to library users from all categories, though some are specifically targeted at researchers who meet one of the following criteria:
• University faculty members.
• Masters and PhD students
• Researchers working in research centers. Below are the details of the available services: Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) Service:
This service aims to provide a bibliographic list containing the latest electronic or printed sources. Researchers can request this service through an online form available on the library’s website.
• The form covers one request per week.
• The bibliographic list is sent within five business days.
• This service is available for researchers only (members or non-members).
Search in Electronic Sources Service:
This service includes downloading and sending digital materials (articles or chapters from e-books) available in the databases that the BA subscribes to. The databases can be accessed via the Library Sector page.
• Digital materials are sent via email within five business days.
• The percentage of digital materials that can be downloaded is subject to the terms of the approved databases.
Terms and Conditions:
• Only one article can be sent from each issue of a journal.
• Only 20% of an e-book’s content can be sent.
• Theses or dissertations cannot be sent.
• The results must be used solely for personal, academic, scientific, or research purposes.
E-Article List Service
This service is for researchers or others who wish to obtain specific articles that have been pre-identified. • The service is provided via an online form available on the library’s website.
• A maximum of one article can be requested per week, with a limit of 30 articles for researchers and 10 articles for non-researchers.
Search by Subject Request Service (SSR)
This service allows searching for a specific topic using keywords defined by the user.
• This service is provided via an online form available on the library’s website.
• The service is only available for researchers. • One request can be made per week.
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Bibliotheca Alexandrina Services
Last Updated: 13 April 2026 | 0

Why can't I find a specific academic thesis here in the library?

The BA is one of the libraries for depositing academic theses in Egypt, in addition to the library of Ain Shams University (the official library for depositing theses in Egypt). There are two reasons why a specific thesis may not be available in the library: either the researcher has not deposited a copy of it at the Library of Alexandria, or the thesis is already in the library but has not yet gone through the necessary technical processes, so it doesn't appear in the thesis database.
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Last Updated: 12 April 2026 | 0

I was born in Alexandria on 1/1/1944 and migrated to Australia as a child. My father was born in Alexandria as well. My question is can I get information on my ancestry through your library on the Vlachos family, if not can you direct me to help with this enquiry. Regards Byron

Our valued user. We regret to inform you that this service is unavailable in our library. Please, you may contact the Egyptian Archive through
https://www.rta.gov.eg/en/contact-us
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Other Other
Last Updated: 09 April 2026 | 1

Are there notebooks in the library?

we do not have notebooks available for purchase or loan at the library. 
 
Best regards,
Reference Librarian
Callima Service Team
Library Sector
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
 

Main Library Services
Last Updated: 08 April 2026 | 0