From the ancient papyrus scriptures of Egypt to the clay tablets of Sumer, the Arab world was home to the world’s earliest forms of libraries. Unfortunate historic events have destroyed many of them, but here are some of the oldest continuously active libraries of the Arab world, in order of year of establishment:

1. Library of Alexandria (Alexandria, Egypt – 300 BC)

Agreed upon as the oldest library in the world, the Library of Alexandria was constructed in the 3rd century BC under the Ptolemaic dynasty, being the most significant scholarly center of the ancient world. It was burned in 391 AD, but today archaeological findings have given hope to revive the magnificent library, in lieu of the current one (Bibliotheca Alexandrina) recently built near the old site in Alexandria, Egypt.

2. Mustansiriyah (Baghdad, Iraq – 1227)

Part of one of the oldest Islamic institutions in the world, Al Mustansiriyah was established by Al-Mustansir, an Abbasid caliph. After surviving the Mongol attacks and having part of its extensive collection removed to Istanbul during Ottoman rule, it is today part of Al-Mustansiriya University.

3. Al Quaraouiyine University (Fez, Morocco – 1349)

Established by Fatima Al Fihri in 859 AD, Al Quaraouiyine University is, according to UNESCO and Guinness World Records, the oldest continuously operating educational institution in the world! Its library was established in 1349, and its collections are some of the most precious worldwide, inspiring alumni like Ibn Khaldoun and Leo Africanus.

4. American University of Beirut Library (Beirut, Lebanon – 1866)

AUB’s library holds more than 500,000 volumes, with publications and collections that have appeared as museum pieces. It also includes the Saab Medical Library, one of the region’s best in its field.

5. Egyptian National Library and Archives (Cairo, Egypt – 1870)

The oldest government library in Egypt houses millions of volumes with a collection of rare Arabic papyri. Khedive Ismael established it and appointed German scholars to head it in its early stages.

6. National Library in Tunisia (Tunis, Tunisia – 1885)

Opening as the French Library, the National Library of Tunisia is among the most distinguished libraries of the MENA region.

7. University of Algiers Library (Algiers, Algeria – 1909)

Holding more than 800,000 volumes, University of Algier’s library building was restored after being set to fire by anti-independence group Organization Armee Secrete in 1962.

8. King Abdelaziz Public Library (Riyadh, KSA – 1985)

Costing $40,000,000 to construct, KAPL holds special collections to be proud of, including a rare map collection of the Arab world dating back to the 1400’s.