King Abdulaziz Public Library’s Restoration Center Preserves over 10,800 Heritage Collections

The Restoration Center at the King Abdulaziz Public Library has achieved a significant milestone, successfully restoring and treating 10,861 heritage items. This extensive collection includes a diverse range of materials such as historical photographs, vital documents, intricate maps, rare books, ancient manuscripts, and old newspapers and periodicals.

Employing the latest scientific and professional methodologies, the center has meticulously carried out restoration, treatment, disinfection, and preventive conservation processes. These efforts are crucial for preserving the integrity of the collections, extending their usability, and ensuring their availability for future generations.

Among the notable restorations are collections of rare historical photographs. These capture significant aspects of Saudi Arabia's history and heritage, including documentation of the Two Holy Mosques, the historical and urban evolution of their surroundings, and images of Arabian horses and stables belonging to prominent Saudi royals. Additionally, photographs depicting the city of Taif, its landmarks, architecture, and social and urban life across different eras have been preserved, contributing to the city's visual historical record.

The center has also completed the meticulous treatment and restoration of thousands of historical maps. A particularly significant item is a map of the Arabian Peninsula, originally dated 1771, from an edition published in 1789, created using copper engraving. Disinfection is emphasized as a critical preliminary stage in the restoration process, conducted with carefully designed procedures tailored to each item's specific needs. This ensures the safety of staff and prevents the spread of deterioration agents without damaging the original components.

Beyond its restoration work, the center actively engages in educational and training initiatives. It has begun organizing specialized workshops and courses focused on restoration techniques, treatment, disinfection, preventive conservation, and the broader preservation of cultural collections, thereby contributing to the development of expertise in the field.