Cambridge University Library

Introduction

The Library’s "Near and Middle Eastern" Collections include written materials originating from the countries of the Arabian Peninsula, the wider Middle East and Islamic regions of North Africa and Central Asia. In terms of languages this includes major collections in Arabic, Hebrew and Persian. There are more limited collections in Aramaic, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopic, Georgian, Ladino and Yiddish, Iranian languages (such as Kurdish), Turkish, Turkic languages and Urdu. 

Books and manuscripts in these languages have been present in the Library's collections from the early years and new publications from the Middle East written in the original languages are still acquired on a regular basis.

The Near and Middle Eastern Department is responsible for the acquisition and management of books and manuscripts written in the languages listed above. It is responsible for enquiries relating to any manuscripts, rare books, archives and modern printed books if these are written in Middle Eastern languages. The Head of the Near and Middle Eastern Department represents the Library in this subject area within the University and to the wider domain.