# National Library of Somalia (Maktabadda Qaranka Soomaaliyeed) > History of Somalia's National Library in Mogadishu: founded 1975, closed in the 1990s, rebuilt from 2013, and the book donations since. Source page: https://calankii.com/en/society/national-library-of-somalia/ Last checked: 2026-11-12 Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com) ## In short The National Library of Somalia is the country's national library, in Mogadishu ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somalia)). It opened to the public in 1975. It closed in the 1990s during the civil war, and a rebuilding project has run since 2013 (same source). ## When it started The library was established in 1975 and was open to the general public ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somalia)). By 1983 it held about 7,000 books, with little historical or cultural archive material (same source). ## Closure in the 1990s The library closed during the civil war of the 1990s ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somalia)). In August 2016, President [Hassan Sheikh Mohamud](/en/people/hassan-sheikh-mohamud/) said the library had "fallen into ruin" about 25 years earlier ([infoDOCKET, reporting Goobjoog News, 20 August 2016](https://www.infodocket.com/2016/08/20/report-somalia-to-reopen-national-library-soon-the-president/)). ## The rebuilding project from 2013 - **June 2013:** the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, a Mogadishu think tank, organised a shipment of 22,000 books from the United States to restock the library ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somalia)). - **December 2013:** the federal authorities launched a project to rebuild the library. Zainab Hassan was named director. The plan was a $1 million, government-funded library complex, to be built within six months ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somalia)). A further 60,000 books were expected from Arab League states ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somalia)). - **August 2016:** at the close of the three-day Mogadishu Book Fair, the president said the library grounds had been fenced with iron sheets for renovation. "[Soon](/en/society/ramadan-and-eid-in-somalia/) it will be completed," he said ([infoDOCKET, 20 August 2016](https://www.infodocket.com/2016/08/20/report-somalia-to-reopen-national-library-soon-the-president/)). ## Book donations since 2021 - **20 June 2021:** [Qatar](/en/diaspora/qatar/) National Library gave more than 4,000 books across many fields. Qatar's ambassador and the library's director, Dr [Mohamed Ahmed](/en/people/skinz/) Sheil, signed the handover ([The Peninsula, 20 June 2021](https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/20/06/2021/QNL-donates-more-than-4,000-books-to-Somali-National-Library); [Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://www.mofa.gov.qa/en/all-mofa-news/details/1442/11/10/qnl-donates-more-than-4-000-books-to-somali-national-library)). - **Egypt:** the Bibliotheca Alexandrina announced a first batch of Arabic publications for the national library and the [Mogadishu University](/en/institutions/main-universities/) library, as part of a joint Egyptian and Arab campaign ([Egypt Independent](https://www.egyptindependent.com/?p=1479586)). - **4 February 2024:** Qatar Charity and the library signed an agreement to supply scientific, literary and cultural books and textbooks, train library staff and help rehabilitate the library ([SONNA](https://sonna.so/en/qatar-charity-signs-deal-to-enhance-public-libraries-performance-in-somalia/)). Dr Mohamed Ahmed Sheil signed for the library. Nura Mustafa Mukhtar, state minister of education, attended (same source). ## Who runs it The library falls under the federal Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education, whose ministers attended the 2021 and 2024 handovers ([SONNA](https://sonna.so/en/qatar-charity-signs-deal-to-enhance-public-libraries-performance-in-somalia/)). Dr Mohamed Ahmed Sheil has been named as director since at least 2021 ([The Peninsula](https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/20/06/2021/QNL-donates-more-than-4,000-books-to-Somali-National-Library)). ## Other libraries [Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/) has its own [National Library of Somaliland](/en/society/public-libraries-in-somaliland/) in Hargeisa and public libraries in Berbera, Gabiley and [Sheikh](/en/regions/sheikh/) ([Wikipedia, National Library of Somaliland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somaliland)). For universities, see [Universities in Somalia](/en/society/universities-in-somalia/). ## Sources - [National Library of Somalia, Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Library_of_Somalia) - [infoDOCKET, Somalia to reopen national library soon, 20 August 2016](https://www.infodocket.com/2016/08/20/report-somalia-to-reopen-national-library-soon-the-president/) - [The Peninsula, QNL donates more than 4,000 books, 20 June 2021](https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/20/06/2021/QNL-donates-more-than-4,000-books-to-Somali-National-Library) - [Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2021](https://www.mofa.gov.qa/en/all-mofa-news/details/1442/11/10/qnl-donates-more-than-4-000-books-to-somali-national-library) - [SONNA, Qatar Charity signs deal, February 2024](https://sonna.so/en/qatar-charity-signs-deal-to-enhance-public-libraries-performance-in-somalia/) - [Egypt Independent, Bibliotheca Alexandrina books for Somalia](https://www.egyptindependent.com/?p=1479586) --- I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. 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