Purpose:
The Middle East and its cultural, economic, social and political forces continue to grow in importance. It remains, however, an area about which the average person in the rest of the world knows relatively little, yet it is obviously rich in history, literature, philosophy, economic and scientific research and cultural identity. Egypt in particular is playing an expanding role in regional and international arenas. Language and politics, however, have impeded free access to the wealth of Middle Eastern and Arab cultures .Because of its unique history, location and faculty, the American University in Cairo is in an excellent position to serve as a window on all aspects of Middle Eastern and Arab cultures, just as it has served to transmit the positive aspects of Western society to Egypt and the rest of the region. The liberal education , public service attitude, free access to research materials and direct faculty involvement in so much of the educational and research experience on campus make AUC an exceptional environment for studying the region on site. Already in possession of impressive collections of works on the Middle East, some dating to the 17th century, its collections of current literature, histories, political, economic and social studies, music and art continue to grow. As more and more collections of rare books, documents, maps and manuscripts are acquired as well as the ongoing acquisition of current literature, the Library Center of Excellence for Middle Eastern and Arab Cultures in the American University in Cairo Library will be in an outstanding position to become a premier source for research in many aspects of Middle Eastern and Arab society. A research collection of this type could also attract students and researchers from abroad and serve as a vehicle for fund-raising. The advantages of a comprehensive, centralized collection in Cairo are obvious since research can be verified and further explored on site. Furthermore the Library already employs a Middle East specialist who can guide and build the collection.
Background:
The AUC Library is already in possession of holdings of rare books and manuscripts to which scholars will want access, notably holdings in Egyptology, Islamic and Middle Eastern art and architecture including the Creswell and Hassan Fathy Collections.
Vision:
Building on its already substantial holdings in all aspects of Middle Eastern and Arab cultures, notably in Middle Eastern art and architecture, sociology, political science and general cultural aspects the American University in Cairo Library can become a Mecca for scholars and students interested in the region and its societies. With the advent of Internet, scanning and technologies yet to be employed, it can also become a publisher of information providing world-wide access to rare manuscripts and books unavailable elsewhere. An oral history collection of sound and video tapes, like the Van Leo collection of photographs, could be invaluable. With other AUC faculty, co-operative studies programs can be set up for scholars to do their research here, perhaps the only place certain materials will be available. Professors here can offer electronic access to their research and expertise or work in co-operative efforts with overseas scholars who in turn may offer access to their own scholarship and thus supplement AUC Library collections. Outstanding scholars among AUC faculty and perhaps others from the intellectual community can function as an advisory board for planning and building the collections. The AUC Library can become an exceptional Library Center of Excellence for Middle Eastern and Arab Cultures.
Prerequisites:
With a new campus and new Library in the works, plans should be made now for housing the Center of Excellence in an environment that maximizes access and use. Either an entire wing or floor of the new Library as part of the Rare Books and Special Collections Library collections will be necessary as holdings continue to accrue. For the immediate future, the current Library can house the collection if space is assigned judiciously, notably with the acquisition of compact shelving for storing more in less space or the acquisition of additional square footage elsewhere. However, the Library will require greater funding to initiate and maintain a Library Center of Excellence for Middle Eastern and Arab Cultures. An initial start-up fund followed by a substantial and ongoing endowment for supporting and building the collection would be preferable. A greatly expanded Middle Eastern and Arab collection will probably also necessitate the hiring of another librarian to assist in the overseeing and development of Library collections.