Editing Library of Alexandria (section)

===Modern library: Bibliotheca Alexandrina===
{{Main|Bibliotheca Alexandrina}}
[[File:CW BibliotechaAlexandrina Inside.jpg|thumb|Interior of the modern [[Bibliotheca Alexandrina]]]]

The idea of reviving the ancient Library of Alexandria in the modern era was first proposed in 1974, when Lotfy Dowidar was president of the [[University of Alexandria]].{{sfn|Tocatlian|1991|page=265}} In May 1986, Egypt requested the executive board of [[UNESCO]] to allow the international organization to conduct a feasibility study for the project.{{sfn|Tocatlian|1991|page=265}} This marked the beginning of UNESCO and the international community's involvement in trying to bring the project to fruition.{{sfn|Tocatlian|1991|page=265}} Starting in 1988, UNESCO and the [[UNDP]] worked to support the international architectural competition to design the Library.{{sfn|Tocatlian|1991|page=265}} Egypt devoted four hectares of land for the building of the Library and established the National High Commission for the Library of Alexandria.{{sfn|Tocatlian|1991|pages=265–266}} Egyptian president [[Hosni Mubarak]] took a personal interest in the project, which greatly contributed to its advancement.{{sfn|Tocatlian|1991|page=266}} An international architectural competition took place in 1989 with Norwegian architectural firm [[Snøhetta (company)|Snøhetta]] winning the competition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lomholt |first=Isabelle |date=October 5, 2021 |title=Bibliotheca Alexandrina Egypt: Egyptian Library Building |url=https://www.e-architect.com/egypt/alexandria-library |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=e-architect}}</ref> Completed in 2002, the [[Bibliotheca Alexandrina]] now functions as a modern library and cultural center, commemorating the original Library of Alexandria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bibalex.org/en/Page/About|title=About the BA |publisher=Bibliotheca Alexandrina|language=en|access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> In line with the mission of the Great Library of Alexandria, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina also houses the [[International School of Information Science]], a school for students preparing for highly specialized post-graduate degrees, whose goal is to train professional staff for libraries in Egypt and across the Middle East.{{sfn|Tocatlian|1991|page=259}}