Islamic Libraries: A Resouce Guide

Libraries no longer need be housed in a building with books on shelves. Digital libraries are electronically stored information transmitted to users via e-books, photographs, maps, etc.

Here is a list of a few digital libraries that are changing the landscape of the islamic library:

Muslim Heritage Images provides access to over 5000 images of manuscripts, culture, people and architecture about Muslims and their contribution to civilisation.

Afghanistan Digital Library is an attempt to digitize and make available on the Internet publications from late 19th to the mid 20th centuries in Afghanistan.

Europeana links to four million digital items (texts, videos, iamges) of and about Europe, which includes the history, culture and lives of Muslims and Islam.

World Digital Library is a digital collection of materials about cultures around the world. Searches can be done by timeline, country, language etc. According to the website, 'cultural treasures' include, but are not limited to, manuscripts, maps, rare books, musical scores, recordings, films, prints, photographs, and architectural drawings.