The library building.

The main building of the Misr Public Library headquarters in Dokki is located in a prime location overlooking the Nile in the Giza area, near the Cairo University campus, the faculties of Applied Arts, Fine Arts, Art Education, Early Childhood Education, the National Research Center, the National Documentation and Information Center, the Opera House, and numerous museums and public and private schools of various levels.

The building consists of three floors covering an area of 600 square meters, surrounded by a flourishing garden spanning 2000 square meters. Originally a distinguished villa with a unique architectural style, the space has been adapted to meet the library’s needs, ensuring appropriately sized halls, efficient ventilation and air conditioning, and high-quality lighting that relies on natural light. The library is furnished with aesthetically pleasing and functional furniture. Additionally, there is a cafeteria providing beverages and light snacks. The garden can also be rented for external use for a fee.

The branch has been electronically connected to the main library. The membership card allows members to benefit from all available facilities and services at both the main library and the branch. Borrowed books can be returned to either the main library or the branch.

A Tour Inside the Main Library in Giza

Ground Floor:

• Includes lending services, subscriptions, inquiries, and staff offices.

First Floor:

• Houses the adult library with designated reading halls, an electronic library and internet section, a multimedia section, an exhibition hall, and a cafeteria.

Second Floor:

• Contains the children’s library with reading rooms, children’s activity rooms, and administrative offices.

Third Floor:

• Includes a seminar and conference hall, a terrace, and additional staff offices.
• Each floor has restrooms for both men and women.
• An elevator is available to serve the elderly and individuals with special needs.
• The library is surrounded by a spacious garden with seating areas for reading outdoors.
• A training center is located in a separate building within the library premises.
• A gift corner is available in the library.

Zaitoun Branch

The Zaitoun branch library was inaugurated on March 24, 1999, to extend the objectives of the main library to multiple locations in Greater Cairo. The branch follows the same systems, policies, and procedures as the main library.

• Located on Omar Al-Mukhtar Street in the Amiriya district.
• The branch consists of a single floor with an area of 360 square meters, surrounded by a 1240 square meter garden.
• Offers all service sections found in the main library, including children’s and adults’ sections, lending services, internet access, and computer and language training.
• The branch is electronically connected to the main library.
• A membership card allows access to all facilities and services of both the main library and the branch.
• Borrowed books can be returned to either the main library or the branch.

Al-Zawya Al-Hamra Branch

The Al-Zawya Al-Hamra branch is located on Port Said Street, behind the One-Day Hospital in Al-Zawya district. It was inaugurated on March 30, 2014, to expand the reach of the main library in Greater Cairo. It is the largest public library in Egypt and follows the same systems, policies, and procedures as the main library.

• The branch consists of three floors, covering an area of 4000 square meters, surrounded by a 200 square meter garden.
• Includes all service sections found in the main library: children’s and adults’ sections, lending services, internet access, and computer and language training.

Ground Floor:

• Security Office: Located at the library’s entrance, next to the main announcement boards.
• Membership Office: Opposite the main entrance, handling subscriptions.
• Lending Office: Located beside the membership office.
• Photocopying Unit: On the right side of the main entrance.
• Telephone Unit: On the right side of the main entrance.
• Library Staff Work Area: Behind the membership and lending offices, designated for library employees, including:
  • Information Systems Office
  • IT Equipment Center
  • Technical Processing Office for Adults’ Section
  • Technical Processing Office for Children’s Section
  • Accounting and Financial Unit Office
  • Lending Section Office
  • New Information Resources Storage
  • Technical Services Manager’s Office
  • Procurement Section Head’s Office
  • Storage Manager’s Office

First Floor:

• Adult Section: Occupies the entire first floor and includes:
  • Main Entrance: Contains an information and assistance desk, online search stations, and an exhibition space for artistic displays.
  • Main Book Hall: Houses books, references, and government publications, arranged according to the Dewey Decimal Classification system, with reading tables, chairs, and electronic search stations.
  • Audiovisual Unit: Offers video and cassette tapes, along with necessary viewing and listening equipment. This service is available free of charge with prior booking.
  • Multimedia Unit (CDs): Provides computers for accessing the library’s CD collection, available for free with prior booking.
  • Internet Unit: Offers internet access at a nominal fee of one Egyptian pound per hour, with usage limited to one session per day, extendable if no other reservations exist.
  • Periodicals & Cafeteria: Offers newspapers and magazines in Arabic, English, French, and German, along with a cafeteria serving refreshments and snacks.

Second Floor:

• Children and Youth Section:
  • Children’s Unit (Ages 3-6): Books marked in green.
  • Junior Unit (Ages 7-10): Books marked in yellow.
  • Youth Unit (Ages 11-15): Books marked in red.
  • Audiovisual & Multimedia Section: Equipped with video and computer facilities for educational and entertainment content.
  • Multipurpose Hall: Used for computer training, CD viewing, and various applications.
  • Activity Hall: Hosts cultural and entertainment activities, puppet shows, storytelling, puzzles, coloring, and handicraft workshops.

Third Floor:

• Rooftop Terrace: Used for receptions and special events, available for external use for a fee.
• Public Relations and Cultural Activities Offices.
• IT Management Office & Regional Libraries Coordinator’s Office.
• Financial & Administrative Affairs Office.
• Deputy Library Director’s Office.
• Seminar Hall: Used for lectures, cultural discussions, and meetings.

Egypt Public Library – Zaitoun Branch

• Opened on March 23, 1999, as the first branch of Egypt Public Library.
• Located on Omar Al-Mukhtar Street in Amiriya, covering 360 square meters, with a 1300 square meter garden.
• Provides various services and activities identical to the main library.
• Acquisition and technical processing are managed centrally at the main library.
• Library members can access both the main and branch libraries for borrowing and returning books.
• The Zaitoun branch is managed by Ms. Shaimaa Imam (Bachelor’s in Education – Early Childhood Education).

Egypt Public Library – Al-Zawya Al-Hamra Branch

• Opened on March 31, 2014, as the second branch of Egypt Public Library.
• Located on Kasarat Al-Baladiya Street in Al-Zawya Al-Hamra, covering 4200 square meters across three floors.

Ground Floor:

• Lending Section: Handles book borrowing and returns.
• Membership Section: Manages subscriptions and payments for training courses.
• Exhibition Space: A large area for artistic exhibitions.
• Main Seminar & Conference Hall: Accommodates up to 200 attendees with a projector and sound system.
• Administrative and Personnel Offices.

First Floor:

• Children & Youth Section:
  • Children’s Unit (Ages 3-6) – Green Label.
  • Junior Unit (Ages 7-10) – Yellow Label.
  • Youth Unit (Ages 11-15) – Red Label.
  • Activity Hall: Hosts storytelling, puppet shows, crafts, and puzzles.
• Computer Lab: Offers graphic design, ICDL, and programming courses.
• Administrative Offices: For public relations, reports, and statistics.

Second Floor:

• Adult Reading Hall (16+).
• Computer Lab: Offers graphic design, ICDL, and programming courses.
• Cultural Activities Office.
• Internal Cafeteria.
• Parking and garden area.
• The branch is electronically linked to the main library.
• Members can borrow and return books at either the main library or the branches.
• Managed by Dr. Saad Abu Zaid.
• The branch has been electronically connected to the main library.
  The membership card allows members to benefit from all available facilities and services at both the main library and the branch.
  Borrowed books can be returned to either the main library or the branch.