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Manuscript Center (MsC)
The establishment of the Manuscript Department came about when Dr Ismail Serageldin set plans for organizational restructuring soon after he assumed his responsibilities as the Librarian of Alexandria. The manuscript department has substantially evolved, since the presidential decree (no. 268) concerning its establishment, and its creation by Dr Youssef Ziedan in 1994, into an independent administration housing specialized sections and laboratories. The administration was later subdivided into two academic institutions: the Manuscript Center (MsC) and the Manuscript Museum (MsM) both headed by Professor Youssef Ziedan.
The MsC operates through a number of integrated sections, which work tunefully with the ones in the twin institution; the MsM. To facilitate the smooth running of the work flow, units and operations were merged across both institutions into three highly specialized sections in each. Thus, the MsC currently houses the following sections:
Heritage Publishing Section
The section releases assorted publications of the MsC in both electronic and printed forms within the framework of a number of ambitious endeavors; one of which is the Digital Archive Project. It aims at the production of digital copies of the BA's rare manuscripts and books. Using high-tech scanners or state-of-the-art digital cameras, graphic specialists capture and digitally process images of manuscripts. The creation of a Virtual Browser for the rarities in the BA was also one of such endeavors.
Chief among the projects which the section has adopted is the Digital Manuscript Library; the first CD-set of which has been released and it comprises a collection of the rarest manuscripts in the BA. The second set represents some of the rarities of the Islamic heritage collection in the mosque of al-‘Ārif bi-Allāh Abū al-‘Abbās al-Mursī. The section is currently working on the third set which comprises a remarkable manuscript collection of the Religious Institute of Smūa. The fourth set features elected manuscripts from the Uppsala University Library's collection.
Other fields pertaining to the section's scope of work are printed publications series: Multilingual Heritage Publishing, and Selected Rarities of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Restoration Section (Laboratory)
The laboratory development took impressive steps to evolve into a comprehensive section affiliated to the MsC. It operates with highly qualified experts undertaking the restoration of manuscripts, rare books, and maps, in addition to repairing and disinfecting the books in use.
Manuscripts and rare books receive pre-restoration chemical treatment before beginning any actual work of repair. Then they get manually restored, assembled, and sewn up together into a book block. Afterward, endbands are prepared and original mended covers are fixed. Finally, restored items are preserved in boxes specially made in the Laboratory. With the generous donation of Jumua El-Majid (United Arab Emirates), the Laboratory is equipped with a leaf casting machine for rare book restoration. Since its establishment in 1996, the section has restored 166 rare manuscripts, 1102 rare books 67 old maps, and 32 plans.
Academic Activities & Specialized Translation Section
Already assigned with specialized heritage translation from/into Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Greek, the Section, formerly Specialized Translation Unit, supports the Center's academic orientation via a number of integrated tasks. It coordinates international academic activities and events with parallel bodies in other countries. It also arranges in-house and abroad training programs for the MsC and MsM staff.
Administrative Affairs Unit
This unit follows up assorted administrative affairs pertaining to the MsC and MsM staff members.
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