Al-Muthanna Public Library in Baghdad’s Abu Ghraib district. (Photo: 964media)
With over 13,000 sources
Al-Muthanna Public Library in Abu Ghraib struggles with poor infrastructure despite rich collection
BAGHDAD — Al-Muthanna Public Library in Baghdad’s Abu Ghraib district remains a key cultural institution more than six decades after its founding, but library officials say the facility is in urgent need of modernization and support.
Established in 1960, the library houses more than 13,000 sources across various fields, including literature, biography, and translation. It also holds unclassified donations not yet added to the main catalog.
Despite its historical significance and collection, the library lacks basic infrastructure such as updated shelving, modern computers, and outdoor recreational spaces.
Library director Khalid Al-Zubaie told 964media that Al-Muthanna has long served as a hub for local intellectuals and continues to host writers, poets, and filmmakers. He said work is underway to digitize the collection through an electronic library system.
“Al-Muthanna Public Library has preserved its heritage, as it contains various types of human knowledge,” Al-Zubaie said. “It remains a refuge for readers and researchers.”
Saif Al-Abtan, founder of the “Abu Ghraib Reads” initiative, said the library is the district’s oldest and only public library. “Our presence in the library is due to the abundance and variety of its sources,” he said, urging Baghdad’s governor and provincial council to improve services and support the library’s development.
