An ambitious plan to digitise the contents of the Press Syndicate library and the Egyptian Press Archives is in the making.

Mahmoud Kamel, the syndicate’s deputy, stated that the contents of the syndicate’s library are “priceless” and include reports of the syndicate’s general assemblies since its establishment in 1941, the syndicate’s council meetings memos, and the Journalists Files Archives. The syndicate’s library also contains treasure troves in the form of newspaper periodicals and old books.

Kamel recalled that the late journalist Ragaai Al-Mirghani, the former deputy of the syndicate, played a major role in preserving the journalistic heritage, helping staff in moving the syndicate’s library from the old building which was demolished and rebuilt into the existing premises in downtown Cairo. Kamel added that the project is now being supervised by Khaled Azab, the syndicate’s advisor for the new digitised plan. Azab said there is at present no accurate inventory of the magazines and newspapers that were published in Egypt from the 19th century until the mid-20th century. A large part of the press archive was lost for various reasons, including the passage of time, the closure of some newspapers, the lack of copies at the National Library, and neglect.

Azab told Al-Ahram Weekly that the project involves first digitalising and documenting the syndicate’s own archive. It will also digitise newspapers and magazines published in Egypt, and digitalise the personal archives of famed journalists. Azab added that the first step will be scanning and building a bibliography of newspapers and magazines published in Egypt and searching their archives and documents. “This is the most difficult stage, as there are private archives in Egypt and abroad. We will seek the assistance of everyone who can help.”

Azab said one of the most difficult stages is discovering what is missing from the Egyptian press. Consequently, contacts have begun with those who own private collections. “I will also give to the syndicate very important documents from my private collection to help build the archive because content will be the ultimate reason for the success of the project,” he said.

Azab, who worked in the presidency of the projects department at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, told the Weekly that they carried out similar endeavours and were able, “with the least resources”, to build it step by step in a sound scientific way to leave for future generations a part of the available Egyptian press archive. He said digitalising the press archive will help journalists access previously published articles easier and faster, saving time and effort. He said the archive will also include photos and documents.

According to Press Syndicate Chairman Khaled Al-Balshi, since the announcement of the plan, the children of several deceased journalists have contacted the syndicate to donate their libraries and press archives, and that a campaign is being prepared to collect newspaper archives. Al-Balshi confirmed that when the project is completed, Egypt will have “something great from the heritage of Egyptian journalism”. He added that the plan, announced now to preserve treasures threatened with loss, will be available free of charge to journalists and researchers in the syndicate and Bibliotheca Alexandrina. He said that it also represents the revival of a project that was started in 2016 but which was then stopped. “We are now in the process of communicating with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina to resume the old cooperation protocol,” Mohamed Suleiman, head of the cultural affairs sector at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, said that he welcomed cooperation with the Press Syndicate after reviewing the new protocol.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 29 August, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly