Library of the École Biblique et Archéologique Française of Jerusalem

⇒ Click here to use the library catalogue

The ÉBAF is renowned in the international scientific community for its magnificent library, founded in 1890. Its shelves contain more than 460,000 volumes and over 1,000 titles of specialist journals and periodicals (450 of which are still active), most of which deal with biblical exegesis and Near Eastern archaeology, not forgetting the languages and literature of the peoples of the Ancient Near East. Founded at the very beginning of the School, it was first housed in what is now the refectory, but now occupies two basement floors beneath the convent. It also has a map library.

The library is private and cannot be visited. Priority access is given to the École’s professors and students. However, outsiders may be admitted under certain conditions, with the approval of the library manager. Requests for admission must be made by e-mail.

Only applications from students and professors engaged in doctoral or post-doctoral research will be considered. Master’s students may be admitted only if they need access to documents that are not available in their institution.

Participation in the BNF’s Bibliothèques d’Orient website

‘Over the centuries, France has forged many links with the Orient, which have taken different forms: exploration, diplomacy, culture, science, etc. The variety and longevity of these relationships have led to the creation of a vast collection of unique and sometimes little-known documents, now dispersed among different countries and multiple players.

In order to bring together, safeguard and promote this heritage, the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) has joined forces with heritage and research libraries in the Near East that specialise in oriental studies. Together, they have decided to create a collaborative digital portal. This partnership is the subject of a cooperation agreement between BnF and all these establishments’.

Bibliothèque Nationale de France

The ‘Bibliothèques d’Orient’ portal, which went online in September 2017, aims to illustrate exchanges between France and seven countries in the Middle East: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey. It is available in three languages: French, Arabic and English.

For further information click on Bibliothèques d’Orient – BNF ou BNF website.