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The Library of Congress collects newspapers published in the Arab World, both in the vernacular and other languages. The Near East Section of the African and Middle Eastern Division (AMED) houses a comprehensive collection of newspapers in the vernacular, covering the nations within the geographic areas that fall into the Division's area of responsibility. The section also collects and recommends titles published in and about its respective countries and regions in a wide variety of other languages. This guide provides an inventory of newspapers published primarily in the Arab World, most of which may be accessible in the AMED Reading Room. Many of the newspapers published in western languages may be accessible in the Newspapers and Periodicals Reading Room.
By far, the largest component of the Near East Section's extensive collections is the Arabic collection comprising around 70% of the total holdings. Similarly, the Arabic newspaper collection constitutes the largest group within the Section's comprehensive newspaper holdings. Ranging from the historic to the modern, the Arabic newspaper collection effectively covers all the Arab World and a significant portion of its press.
The vast majority of these titles are in microfilm format which can be viewed using microfilm readers available for patrons in the reading room. The Division's print newspapers, published in the vernacular, may also be accessible to researchers in the African and Middle Eastern Reading Room upon request.
The Near East Section was established in 1945 following the end of World War II. It has in its custody materials in several formats: from exquisite manuscripts to early printed books; and from historic and contemporary newspapers, on microfilm and microfiche, to political and cultural ephemera-in over 40 languages of North Africa and the Middle East, as well as those of the countries and peoples of the Caucasus and Central Asia.
The Section's Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Turkic & Iranic language collections are renowned for their high scholarly quality, as are the Armenian, Georgian and Central Asian language materials which are growing rapidly and constitute major research collections.
The largest collection-the Arabic-is rich in manuscripts and early printed books, as well as in newspapers, serials and monographs in numerous fields including in literature, the social sciences, and the humanities, The Armenian collection is representative of the literary tradition, in manuscripts and printed works, accomplished both in Armenia and in its extensive, historical diaspora.
The Persian collection holds a number of splendidly illuminated manuscripts which are now digitized, as well as a unique collection of lithographs and early imprints which are currently being digitized. Its twentieth century collections of books and journals is very extensive as well.
The Turkish collection is strong in both modern works and Ottoman printed materials and includes both manuscripts as well as digitized materials such as the Abdul Hamid II gift books and album collections.
Efforts to collect works published in Georgia and in the post-Soviet States of the Caucasus and Central Asia have proved remarkably fruitful.
In its continuing efforts to make its collections accessible to researchers in the United States and beyond, the Section has continued to digitize and mount many of its vital collections.
The Section hosts a variety of special events, such as annual symposia, briefings, exhibits, lecture series and other programs to highlight its collections and to promote their use by scholars and researchers.
The Near East Section's specialists in the languages, countries and cultures of the Near East offer group and individual briefings both on site and on location. Queries from researchers and scholars are encouraged via Ask-A-Librarian, email, telephone, or in person.
Reference assistance is available from the Library of Congress for Middle Eastern studies. Each area specialist has reference and acquisitions responsibilities for a particular linguistic or geographic region and has developed expert knowledge of the collections for his or her area. In conjunction with other Library units. These area specialists develop the collections and compile bibliographic guides to bring Near East materials to the attention of librarians and scholars.
Each reference specialist below is listed with their contact information and the countries they specialize in. You can also use our Ask a Librarian service to contact a reference librarian.
Dr. Lanisa Kitchiner, Chief, African and Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-7937 | Fax: (202) 252-3180
Ms. Joan Weeks, Head and Area Specialist (Turkic World), Near East Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707--3657 | Fax: (202) 252-3180
Countries:
Ms. Huda Dayton, Area Specialist (Arab World), Near East Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-0686 | Fax: (202) 252-3180
Dr. Muhannad Salhi, Area Specialist (Arab World), Near East Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-3778 | Fax: (202) 252-3180
Countries:
Mr. Hirad Dinavari, Area Specialist (Iranian World), Near East Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-4518 | Fax: (202) 252-3180
Countries:
Dr. Khachador Mouradian, Area Specialist (Armenia/Georgia), Near East Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Fax: (202) 252-3180
Countries:
Collection Management Staff:
Mr. Abdulahi Ahmed, Collection Development Librarian (Near East Collection), Near East Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-4176 | Fax: (202) 252-3180
Ms. Christal Grant, Library Technician (Near East Collection), Near East Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-2933 | Fax: (202) 252-3180
Ms. Emma Stevens, Library Technician (Near East Collection), Near East Section, African & Middle Eastern Division
Contact information: [email protected] | Tel: (202) 707-9156 | Fax: (202) 252-3180
