The King Abdulaziz Public Library’s publications vary widely through its scientific publishing program, which was launched in the early years of its establishment in 1985. These publications have become an important component of the library’s strategy. In recognition of World Book Day, observed annually on April 23, the library highlights its wide range of high-quality publications. Its work extends beyond printing heritage and historical books, expanding the horizons of knowledge and culture through diverse publications.

The library explores a wide range of fields, including thought, literature, the arts, philosophy, history, and translation, with the aim of strengthening local, Arab, and Islamic culture. Since its establishment, it has published more than 400 comprehensive and diverse books, foremost among them the Comprehensive Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which consists of 20 volumes covering all regions of the Kingdom, including their history, geography, cultural and demographic characteristics, and economic and social aspects, supported by photographs, illustrative maps, and up-to-date statistics.

The library subsequently published a series of works on the founding King, Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him, and on Saudi history. Among the most notable are King Abdulaziz: A Bibliographic List, The Educational Role of the Preparatory School for Missions in Makkah during the Reign of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, Social Welfare during the Reign of King Abdulaziz, The Diplomatic Encyclopedia of King Abdulaziz, Man of the Peninsula, and the large illustrated volume The Unifier.

Among the library’s most notable books on the Kingdom’s heritage, archaeological, tourist, and historical sites is Saudi Arabia, an illustrated book featuring photographs by Brazilian photographer Umberto de Silveira. It highlights various locations across the Kingdom that reflect its historical and geographical diversity, portraying its landscapes, shores, deserts, farms, and mountains. The photographs tell the story of Saudi Arabia and serve as a visual memory for future generations.

Other publications include Saudi Features and Places, Photographs from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Northern and Western Saudi Arabia), and Discover Saudi Arabia, published in English, French, and German. Other titles include The Arabian Peninsula: A Painters’ Garden, Makkah and Madinah: Rare Photographs, Riyadh: The Old City, Taif: Development, Structure and Architecture, Hajj in English, and Darb Zubaydah, one of the most renowned historic pilgrimage routes, also published in English, among many other books.

The library has also published a number of books in literature and the arts, including Poetry of Writers in the Fourth Century AH, Poetry in the Capital of Al-Yamamah until the End of the Umayyad Period, and Artistic Elements in the Andalusian Ode. Its publications also cover fields such as science and thought, the world of libraries, and Islamic history.

Regarding Al-Aqsa, the library published a large illustrated volume documenting the sacred and heritage sites, the Dome of the Rock, and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Entitled Al-Aqsa, the book contains a substantial collection of rare documents and photographs, including 360 images documenting various details of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The library has also devoted attention to Andalusian history from its civilizational, literary, artistic, and scientific perspectives. Among its publications is Andalusian Sources, which covers numerous periods in the history of Al-Andalus. The book draws on sources in several languages: Arabic, English, Spanish, French, German, and Latin. It includes 13 Arabic-language sources and 71 sources in foreign languages.

The library has also published a collection of illustrated documentary works devoted to Arab and Islamic heritage. These include major works on horses, camels, horsemanship, falcons, pilgrimage routes, and traditional jewelry, as well as books focusing on the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

The book Arabic Books Printed in Europe focuses on a selected collection of Arabic heritage books that were also among the earliest examples of printing in Europe. These works form part of the holdings of the King Abdulaziz Public Library. The book features 104 titles covering subjects such as astronomy, medicine, geography, Arabic literature, Islam, and Christianity.

Among the library’s publications highlighting authentic Arab culture is The Camel in Ancient Art, History and Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, published in a distinctive bilingual Arabic-English edition. The 484-page illustrated volume explores camels in the rock art of the Kingdom. The book Horsemanship, authored by David Alexander in English and Dr. Shihab Al-Sarraf in Arabic, presents 29 articles prepared by a distinguished group of academics specializing in the history of horses from around the world. The second volume is an illustrated index containing valuable information and historical documents that had not previously been documented.

Other notable publications that promote Arab and Islamic heritage include Date Palms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Views of the Two Holy Mosques and Aspects of Hajj Through the Lens of Pilgrim Ahmed Mirza. Ahmed Mirza was the first professional Indian photographer to visit the Holy Land for Hajj in 1325 AH / 1907 CE, where he took the opportunity to capture a remarkable collection of photographs. The book Makkah and Madinah: Rare Photographs by Muhammad Sadiq Bey features the work of the first person to photograph Makkah and Madinah, in 1880.

Several years ago, the King Abdulaziz Public Library established a department dedicated to publishing children’s books, with the aim of enriching Arabic children’s literature culturally through the publication and translation of books that combine distinctive ideas, innovative illustrations, and rich language. The department also supports and encourages writers and illustrators by nurturing their talents in writing and drawing, producing knowledge, and contributing to the development of culture.