Written by Mathias Ghyoot and Athina Pfeiffer (2025)

INtroduction

Al-Khizana al-Hasaniyya (also known as the Bibliothèque Royale) is Morocco’s royal library, located inside the palace complex (al-Qasr al-Maliki) in Rabat. As both a personal and historical collection of the kings of Morocco, the library houses an impressive range of manuscripts, lithographs, royal archives, and about 15,000 rare and printed books. To learn more about the collection, check out Josie Hendrickson’s 2008 article.

If you’d like to visit, you must contact the library’s director, Ahmed-Chouqui Binebine, ahead of time by email (in Arabic or French) to request an appointment. You need to send a photo of your passport so you can later clear security at the palace entrance.

The library is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm, but it’s best to plan your arrival for around 9:30am.

Location: Google Maps

GOING THERE

Grab a petit taxi and ask the driver to drop you off at the gate known as “Bab al-Comissariat” of the palace complex on Avenue Ya’qub al-Mansur. When you arrive, tell the guards you have a meeting with Director Binebine at the Khizana al-Hasaniyya. They’ll direct you to the police station on the left, where you’ll need to show your passport and register. After you’re checked in, walk down the alley and take the first right. The library building will be on your right by the parking lot.

GETTING IN

A staff member will probably greet you when you enter the lobby of the main library building. If not, just knock on the glass door to your right in the hallway and let them know you’re there to meet with the director. During your meeting with Director Binebine, you’ll be asked to explain your research interests and why you’re interested in the library’s collection, either in Arabic or French. It’s a good idea to bring a proof of affiliation for the meeting. After that, you’ll be directed to the Research Room.

When we visited, we were allowed to bring bags into the building along with water and our laptops.

If you plan to use the library regularly, you may be issued a library card at some point during your stay. To get one, you’ll need prior approval from Director Binebine as well as two photos, a copy of your passport, and proof of affiliation. The card lets you bypass the initial stop at the police station and enter through any gate of the palace complex. The length of validity varies from researcher to researcher, ranging from three months to up to three years (in our case).

Finding your material

Manuscripts

Al-Khizana al-Hasaniyya has a manuscript index (kashshaf al-makhtutat) organized alphabetically, listing only the titles, authors, and manuscript numbers. You can either look through the index ahead of time or ask to access the searchable Word document on-site using one of the computers in the Research Room. Depending on your focus, there are also more detailed catalogs arranged by theme. You can request these from Director Binebine or from one of the librarians in the Research Room. Keep in mind, though, that not every part of the collection is covered by these catalogs. For example, when we visited, the catalog of fiqh manuscripts was still under production. Since these catalogs (like the index) aren’t sold in bookstores, you may kindly request a copy from the director.

While browsing the index and the catalogs, don’t forget to note your shelfmarks and titles on a sheet of paper (this will come in handy later).

Books and Periodicals

Inside the Research Room, you’ll find several computers that host the internal catalog of approximately 15,000 books and periodicals held by al-Khizana al-Hasaniyya. The catalog, a searchable Word document in Arabic, allows searches by author, title, publication date, and printing press. It is arranged numerically rather than by subject or theme. Remember to note down the shelfmark number located in the far right column of the document together with the title.

Ordering your material

Manuscripts

Approach the librarian seated next to the computers, who will either give you a request form or ask you to write down your shelfmarks and titles on a sheet of paper. Your request must then be approved by the director. It’s not entirely clear whether there’s a daily limit on the number of manuscripts you can request. Once approved, high-resolution images of your materials will be loaded onto one of the computers. You’re welcome to take as much time as you need reviewing these images.

We’ve been told that physical manuscripts are generally off-limits. However, you may be able to make a special request if your research focuses on codicology or paleography.

Books and Periodicals

To order your materials, hand over a sheet of paper bearing the shelfmarks and titles of your requested materials to the librarian sitting behind the desk on your immediate left. He will make sure to put you in contact with one of the librarians working the stacks, which are off-limits to researchers. This librarian will then fetch your material which you will then be able to peruse at one of the tables in the Research Room. There does not seem to be a limit on the amount of material you can request.

Ordering scans

Manuscripts

Go to the same librarian, who will give you a request form to fill out with your personal information. You’ll also need to provide either a copy of your passport and proof of enrollment, or your library card. If the form doesn’t have enough space for all your manuscripts, you can attach a separate sheet of paper. You may request images of an entire manuscript or selected pages—in the latter case, be sure to use the file numbers rather than the folio numbers.

We were told that researchers are generally limited to requesting digital images of one or two manuscripts, though you may be able to make a case for more. You may also be limited in the number of images you’re allowed to ask per manuscript.

Once the director approves your request, you’ll be asked to provide a USB stick, and the librarian will transfer the images onto it.

Books and Periodicals

At the time of our visit, we were able to scan books and periodicals with our phones; however, please note the no-phone sign posted on the door of the Research Room. If unsure about the official policy, always ask the staff first.

Food and well-being

For those spending the lunch hour at the library, you may grab snacks from the kiosk opposite the soccer field—just a few minutes walk from the library. Bathrooms are located on the right past the main door in the lobby.

Additional remarks

Director Binebine is an amazing source of knowledge on Arabic manuscripts and libraries of the Arab world. Make sure to chat with him—you’ll enjoy his anecdotes and insights.