Plans have now been agreed with the Monastery authorities to construct a new library building within the ancient walls of the compound, to house the collection in a controlled environment.  This will also provide conservation facilities and exhibition space showing a rotating display of manuscripts. 

The Monastic authorities are very mindful of recent legislation, which gives the Ministry of Culture the right to confiscate and remove any manuscripts or collections that are not safely preserved.

Hence the purpose of the new building is not just to ensure the permanent survival of the collections, but also to facilitate greatly improved conditions, while ensuring that the manuscripts do not suffer as a result of improved access.  Accordingly, the Monastic authorities agreed to the construction of a new building, within the grounds of the monastery compound, to house the entire collection and conservation activities. It will provide a world-class storage facility for the ancient manuscripts, a modern library, plus education and conservation facilities to enable the monastery’s priceless collection to be properly cared for.  A controlled stable environment will be created, together with modern museum standards of accessibility and security.  

A specially designated reading room adjoining the Library itself will provide a research facility for monks, scholars and students.  An exhibition facility for visitors will be established in a designated area to allow a rotating display of the Library’s treasures. The new building will consist of two storeys above ground, with the library and archive area underground in the basement.

We are especially delighted with the designs for the new building. The design is in harmony with the original monastic buildings, and will only serve to enhance the timeless spiritual heritage of the monastery. Bishop Mattaos is in charge of the project and the rendering and finishes are going to be in sensitive accord with the other monastic buildings. The Levantine Foundation is assisting with the funding, advising on the environmental issues and the internal layout of the building.

The architectural firm of Morad Bebawy & Meleka Farah has been appointed by the Monastic Council to lead and to oversee the design. The building works are being carried out by a local contractor and the engineering design is by Arab Consulting Engineers in Cairo.  The first stage of the building - the skeleton shell - is now complete.

The second stage includes the development of the building: including internal partitions, flooring and wall finishes, electrical and mechanical services, including a service lift, security/alarms and telecom installations.  The final stage will see the fitting-out and installation of shelving/storage, tables, workbenches, conservation and digitising equipment.

In view of the recently enacted legislation and the threat of the collection being removed from the monastery if storage conditions are not good, it is especially important to re-house the collection as quickly as possible to ensure the books and manuscripts remain in the monastery.