This new, modern library was opened in 2002. It's an architectural extravaganza with lots of natural lighting, colored panels in the roof, bare metal and bright colors. It has a large electronic collection as well as paper books and an antiquarian section with the sole remaining scroll from the old library.

Alexandria's ancient library was the most famous in all antiquity, attracting scholars from all over the ancient world. Euclid discovered geometry and Eratosthenes measured the earth's circumference there. The ancient library was ultimately destroyed by fire and their vast collection of scrolls was lost.