Aims and objectives
This collection of 1,864 Arabic Syriac books (dating from 1610 to 1939) includes some of the earliest published books in Lebanon, underscoring the country’s role as a pioneering hub of printing in the Middle East. Produced in Lebanese printing houses, these works reflect Lebanon’s early contributions to the region’s intellectual and cultural landscape, and its role in shaping knowledge production. The collection spans over 20 disciplines, including philosophy, theology, science and linguistics, and offers essential primary sources on cultural exchange, national identity and the impact of print technology. Predominantly in Arabic and Syriac, including Garshuni (Arabic in Syriac script), the material highlights Lebanon’s multilingual heritage and scholarly diversity. Housed at the USEK Library, this collection is deteriorating; brittle pages, weakened spines and fragile bindings threaten its survival. Lebanon’s economic and political crises further endanger their survival, as conservation resources remain limited. Without urgent preservation, a vital record of Lebanon’s printing legacy may be lost.
