The Rare Books and Special Collections Library mounts regular exhibitions of items from its collections. Material displayed includes rare books, photographs, archival documents and publications, architectural plans and models, maps, artifacts, artwork, and audiovisual media (original as well as documentary works produced specifically to accompany exhibitions).  Exhibitions are collaborative efforts drawing on the expertise and creativity of the head of public services, subject specialists and other staff throughout the library, and assembled and installed by the library’s Conservation Laboratory staff. Some exhibitions are joint efforts with other units at AUC or outside institutions or individuals. All are intended to be informative and educational through spotlighting the library’s special collections.

RBSCL exhibitions are open to the public and free of charge. See Visiting and Access to the Library to plan your visit. The RBSCL’s main exhibition spaces are the Abdallah S. Jum’ah Exhibition Room as well as the Nadia Niazi Mostafa Lecture Room often used for events associated with exhibitions. Other display cases throughout the library feature revolving displays of books, images, maps, artifacts and other library holdings.

RBSCL materials are frequently exhibited at The Photographic Gallery (formerly known as The Sony Gallery for Photography) in Abdul Latif Jameel Hall, The Sharjah Art Gallery in AUC’s Center for the Arts, and the foyer of the Main Library building. Library materials are also periodically exhibited in other locations in Cairo like the Cairo Opera House complex, and at venues abroad like the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, Brighton Photo Biennial, and the Deutsches Architektur-Museum in Frankfurt.