Jerusalem's Arab libraries get together online

European Union Representative to the Palestinian Territory John Gatt-Rutter launched on Wednesday the Arabic Manuscripts Digital Library of Jerusalem at the Khalidi Library in the Old City of Jerusalem, according to a press release. The launch, made possible by the Manumed project within the framework of the Euromed Heritage 4 programme, came less than a year after the first meeting was held to discuss this on-line library. Within few months, the Jerusalem libraries were able to get together and to develop a single digital space to share and expose their collections. The partners of the Arabic Manuscripts Digital Library of Jerusalem are the Khalidi Library, the Budeiri Library, the Al-Aqsa Library, the Ansari Library and the Waqf Restoration Center. In few weeks, thanks to a simple internet connection, this on-line library will be able to offer a free-of- charge, multilingual access to dozens of thousands of images, said the press release. The libraries will also work together within a scientific committee and will be encouraged to develop common projects in the field of the preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage.