The Library of Alexandria was the ancient world’s largest and most comprehensive library, housing books and manuscripts (on
papyrus scrolls) as well as meeting rooms, gardens, and lecture halls on its grounds. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of
the Ancient World, the original Library of Alexandria was tragically destroyed in a fire nearly 2,000 years ago. The new
Library of Alexandria is a memorial to its predecessor. The Library cost $220 million to rebuild in 2002, and is now
operating as not only a library, but also as a cultural center, planetarium, manuscript restoration lab, art gallery and
exhibition space, museum, and conference center. Currently, the library contains more than 500,000 books, though it has space
for over eight million.