Library

The NVIC library is a public, academic reference library. Entrance is free—no membership needed—and offers access to our book collection and two reading rooms, which have a WiFi connection. It is not possible to borrow books from our library.

Our main goal is to support both academic research and NVIC’s teaching programmes. Our doors are primarily opened for students and scholars from NVIC’s member institutions but we also serve scholars of non-affiliated institutions and other, more general library visitors. Our collection contains around 15000 titles in Arabic, English, French, German, and Dutch, covering fields such as Arabic Studies, Islamic Studies, Middle East Studies, Archaeology, Egyptology, and Coptic Studies. A significant number of magazines, periodicals, and series in Arabic and English are stored in our archive. An overview of these publications can be requested through email: t.lavent@nvic.leidenuniv.nl.

The library’s foundations were laid at the time of the institute’s opening in 1971, through the purchase of the book collection of the late archaeologist and egyptologist professor W.B. Emery. During its first years the collection was built with occasional donations. Our current collection mainly consists of publications we have purchased ourselves. We accept book donations for our library and for our yearly book fair. The proceeds of this fair go to a good cause related to literacy, knowledge building, and education.

Would you like to make a donation? Feel free to contact our library team through email: t.lavent@nvic.leidenuniv.nl.

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