Algiers – Today, Wednesday, the Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Ben Doudah, conducted an inspection visit to the Algerian National Library in Algiers, where she reviewed the progress of the library’s rehabilitation works as well as the project to digitize its collections and manuscripts.
During the visit, the minister inspected the ongoing processes of rehabilitating, preparing, and restoring various sections of the National Library building, along with the digitization of manuscripts, their preventive treatment, and restoration. She closely examined the technologies used in diagnosis, treatment, conservation, and bookbinding.
Ms. Ben Doudah received a detailed presentation from the library’s Director General, Monir Bahadi, and experts on the stages of restoration conducted by the Manuscripts Department and laboratory, as well as the measures taken for digitizing the library’s holdings and manuscripts.
On this occasion, the minister noted that she observed “the progress made by the institutions responsible for projects related to rehabilitating the National Library building and digitizing its stock and manuscripts to preserve them as symbols of national memory,” explaining that “the goal is for the library to regain its brilliance and radiance as a cultural, scientific, and intellectual landmark.”
After receiving comprehensive explanations from the officials of the three institutions managing the rehabilitation and digitization projects, she emphasized the necessity to “respect the deadlines for completing rehabilitation, restoration, and digitization works related to the library’s collection (…) as the objective is for the library to be qualified in a way befitting its scientific and intellectual status,” highlighting that “these initiatives reflect the ministry’s commitment to protecting the national cultural heritage.”
She added that she is “very keen on the digitization process of the library’s holdings and stock, as well as all the manuscripts accessible within the library and various archives nationwide, so that they become available on digital platforms for researchers and readers both domestically and internationally,” underscoring that “this process is important for protecting and preserving the rich heritage of national manuscripts.”
During her inspection visit, the minister also received a comprehensive explanatory briefing from representatives of the institutions supervising the building’s rehabilitation projects and digitization of the library’s holdings, including manuscripts.
Furthermore, Ms. Ben Doudah mentioned that the ministry, in partnership and cooperation with the Ministry of National Education on the occasion of the new school year, is undertaking “the distribution of 700,000 books for children and youth students at various educational levels nationwide, from publications issued by the Ministry of Culture,” aiming to “promote and encourage reading habits among students.”
She added that, as part of the ongoing school year activities and starting next week, “sessions with storytellers will be organized at the main provincial public reading libraries to connect students with their rich oral heritage and its symbols, reinforcing this heritage,” and that “audio recordings of this legacy will be initiated alongside creating digital platforms dedicated to folk tales and heritage stories.”
