The Arab World Institute Library (La librairie-boutique de l’institut du monde arabe), has recently reopened its doors to visitors. It underwent heavy renovation and restoration works for three years, which included improving the establishment’s design and service facilities.
Featuring more than 100,000 books, audio-visual materials, maps, documents and manuscripts in five languages – Arabic, French, English, German and Spanish – it is the library about the Arab World in France. The library also features multimedia tools and technologies, as well as a modern audio system for people to enjoy audiobooks.
The 1072-sqm library comprises three main floors and four sub-floors, which are connected through a tower. The design inspiration has been taken from Great Mosque of Samarra’s minaret in Iraq, whose structure from its first to its seventh floor are strongly reflected in the Arab World Institute’s floor layout.