HOURS:    Monday - Friday: 10 am - 5 pm, closed Saturday and Sunday

SEARCH THE CATALOG

Search the 19,000 books and periodicals of the Oman Library in the new library catalog.

EXPLORE THE COLLECTION

The Oman Library at the Middle East Institute is known to have the largest English language collection of literature on the Middle East in Washington, D.C, outside of the Library of Congress. It is estimated to house approximately 19,000 books and periodicals, all devoted to the region. Our collection holds materials in regional languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish and Farsi. Works in the library include items addressing, among other topics, various aspects of history, culture, politics, literature, and languages of the Middle East, Islamic lands, and relevant regions which reflect and buttress our mission. 

The collection at the Oman Library is a unique resource for scholarly information about the Middle East, defined by the Institute as those countries spanning from Morocco to Pakistan, including Turkey and the countries of Central Asia. Our biweekly Collection Spotlights feature specific works within our collections and describe potential applications for scholarly research. Perhaps the most unique and special aspect of our collection is that we offer materials that are not easily found elsewhere, including primary documents, hard-to-find periodicals, valuable travelogues and other geographical works, and a large number of rare books. Numerous items in our collection are one-of-a-kind pieces, with the Oman Library being the sole carrier of certain items. Learn more.

VISIT US

The Oman Library at the Middle East Institute is located in a pleasant converted nineteenth century coach house overlooking the garden of the Middle East Institute at 1761 N Street, NW, Washington, DC.  For directions and transportation information click here.