African and Middle Eastern Division

African and Middle Eastern Division. The African and Middle Eastern Division is a part of the Library of Congress, serving as a center for research on Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, including Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan. The division's collections and services support the research needs of Congress, scholars, and the general public, with a focus on African Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, and Islamic Studies. The division works closely with other Library of Congress divisions, such as the Asian Division and the European Division, to provide comprehensive research support.

Introduction

The African and Middle Eastern Division is one of the largest and most comprehensive divisions of the Library of Congress, with a vast collection of materials in over 100 languages, including Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Swahili, and Amharic. The division's collections include rare and unique materials, such as the Gazi Husrev-bey's Library and the Sultan Abdulhamid II Collection, which provide valuable insights into the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire and the Islamic Golden Age. The division also has strong ties with other institutions, such as the British Library, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, and the National Library of Israel, to facilitate research and collaboration.

History

The African and Middle Eastern Division was established in 1945, with the merger of the Library of Congress's Orientalia Division and the African Section. The division's early history was marked by significant acquisitions, including the Hebrew Collection of Elkan Nathan Adler and the Arabic Collection of Moritz Steinschneider. The division has also played a significant role in the development of Area Studies programs, such as the African Studies Association and the Middle East Studies Association, which have helped to promote research and scholarship on Africa and the Middle East. The division's history is also closely tied to major events, such as the Suez Crisis, the Iranian Revolution, and the Arab Spring, which have shaped the region's politics, culture, and society.

Collections

The African and Middle Eastern Division's collections are among the largest and most comprehensive in the world, with over 1 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, and photographs. The division's collections include rare and unique materials, such as the Timbuktu Manuscripts and the Sassanid Inscriptions, which provide valuable insights into the history and culture of Africa and the Middle East. The division also has significant collections of materials related to major figures, such as Nelson Mandela, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Ruhollah Khomeini, which offer a unique perspective on the region's politics and history. The division's collections are also complemented by those of other institutions, such as the National Archives and Records Administration and the Smithsonian Institution, which provide a comprehensive understanding of the region's history and culture.

Services

The African and Middle Eastern Division provides a range of services to support research and scholarship, including reference services, research guidance, and access to rare materials. The division's staff, including subject specialists and curators, work closely with researchers to provide expert guidance and support, drawing on their knowledge of African Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, and Islamic Studies. The division also offers a range of digital collections and online resources, including the Library of Congress's Online Catalog and the World Digital Library, which provide access to a vast array of materials and resources. The division's services are also complemented by those of other institutions, such as the National Library of Medicine and the United States Institute of Peace, which provide a comprehensive range of resources and support.

Organization

The African and Middle Eastern Division is organized into several sections, including the African Section, the Middle Eastern Section, and the Hebraic Section, each of which is responsible for a specific geographic or linguistic area. The division is also home to several curatorial teams, which are responsible for the acquisition, cataloging, and preservation of materials, as well as the development of exhibitions and public programs. The division works closely with other Library of Congress divisions, such as the Law Library and the Manuscript Division, to provide comprehensive research support and to promote the division's collections and services. The division is also part of the Library of Congress's International Collections, which include the Asian Division, the European Division, and the Hispanic Division.

Outreach and Partnerships

The African and Middle Eastern Division engages in a range of outreach and partnership activities to promote its collections and services, including exhibitions, lectures, and conferences. The division works closely with other institutions, such as the National Museum of African Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art, to develop joint exhibitions and public programs. The division also partners with cultural organizations, such as the African Studies Association and the Middle East Studies Association, to promote research and scholarship on Africa and the Middle East. The division's outreach and partnership activities are also complemented by those of other institutions, such as the United States Department of State and the Agency for International Development, which provide a comprehensive range of resources and support. Category:Library of Congress divisions