Iraq National Library and Archive

The Iraq National Library and Archive is a national library and archive in central Baghdad holding extensive collections of manuscripts, books, and documents. The multi-story building uses a modern digital catalog system implemented after 2003 to make materials accessible to researchers and the public.

The institution began in 1920 as the Baghdad Peace Library through initiatives by Muriel Jesse Forbes and Gertrude Bell. It later became a public institution and underwent major reconstruction after 2003 with international support, particularly from the British Library.

The collections reflect intellectual traditions across different periods and show how written materials have shaped the country's thinking and society. Visitors encounter manuscripts and books that generations have valued and passed down.

The building is centrally located and easy to reach for researchers and visitors. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when foot traffic is lighter and the spaces are quieter for browsing and research.

After severe damage, recovery efforts focused on restoring lost collections through international cooperation. The British Library supported this work by providing microfilm copies of important Iraqi documents, which significantly helped rebuild the holdings.