How to Research Information on the Great Library of Alexandria

The ancient library of Alexandria, Egypt, dates back 2,000 years and once was home to the writings of intellectuals and philosophers such as Plato, Ptolemy and Socrates. In fact, Ptolemy's work, "The Almagest," considered the most important book about the nature of the universe for 1,500 years, was housed at the site. The library was destroyed in a fire, though it is not clear exactly when or by whom; the BBC claims that it may have been Julius Caesar who destroyed it upon conquering the city. A new library was built in Alexandria in 2002.

Things You'll Need

  • Internet access
  • Library
Show More

Instructions

  1. The Modern Library at Alexandria

    • 1

      Open the website of the Alexandria Library (bibalex.org). The website refers to the library as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. This is the primary source of information about the modern library in Alexandria, Egypt.

    • 2

      Click on the "about the library" link on the navigation bar on the left to learn about the modern library. Click on the "news," "projects" or "programs & activities" links in the navigation bar at the top right to learn about the modern library's undertakings.

    • 3

      Read about the opening of the modern Alexandria library in "National Geographic."

    The Ancient Library at Alexandria

    • 4

      Go the website of your local library system. Using your library card, log onto the online library catalog and search for the "Alexandria Library" in Egypt.

    • 5

      Place a hold on any book in the library that interests you by clicking on the link that says "place hold." The page will then prompt you to choose your pick-up location. Choose the library closest to you and click on "OK."

    • 6

      Go to your local library in person if you do not have reliable Internet access. There you can browse the online catalog from an Internet station or ask a librarian to direct you to the appropriate collections. If there are books you seek in another library, the librarian can place an inter-library loan for you.

    • 7

      Find information about the ancient library online. The BBC News has an article from 2004 about the discovery of 13 lecture halls at the site of the ancient library by Egyptian Chief Archaeologist Zahi Hawass and a team of Polish excavators.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved