Brief History

King Saud University has established its libraries in pursuit of the three familiar objectives of the university: education, scientific and scholarly research, and community services. Again, three elements are the most important components of the university: students, faculty members, and the library. The library in particular is main sinew of the university, providing different services and housing the sources of knowledge for students, faculty members, and the community.

Libraries           

With this importance in mind, it is only natural that the first university library was established in 1377 H (1957) concomitantly with the establishment of the College of Arts, followed a year later with the Library of the College of Sciences in 1378 H (1958). Libraries then followed suite: the Library of the College of Administrative Sciences 1379 H (1959), the Library of the College of Pharmacy 1381 H (1961), the Central Library of the university 1384 H (1964), formed as it was in Malaz by merging together the library of the College of Pharmacy and the library of the College of Sciences.

Over a period of eight years, five other libraries were opened: the library of the College of Agriculture 1386 H (1966), then the library of the College of Education 1387 H (1967), the library of the College of Engineering 1388 H (1968), the library of College of Medicine 1389 H (1969), and the library of the Arabic Language Institute 1394 H (1974).

These libraries were further enhanced by another two exclusively for girls: the Library of the University Studies Center in Ulayshah 1394H (1974) and Library of Medicine for Girls 1396H (1976). These two were later (1400H/1980) enhanced by the opening of the main Library in Malaz for girls.

In 1398H (1978) the library of the College of Dentistry was opened to be followed two years later by the Library of  King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital 1400H (1980). A year later, 1401H (1981), the library of the College of Applied Medical Sciences was opened.

At the beginning of the academic year 1404/1405 H (1984/1985) seven of those libraries were merged into one central library at the new university campus in the city of Riyadh. The library of the Deanship of the Community Services was also established at its location in Nasiriyah in the City of Riyadh. Similarly, the girls' Library of Medicine was merged with the Malaz main library.

The Libraries Affairs Deanship

The Deanship of library affairs was established in 1394 H (1974). This was the time when the university libraries matured into an academic body with full membership of the University Council, after being the mere Department of Libraries.

Now the Deanship of Library affairs supervises all University Libraries in Riyadh, including the central and branch libraries. The functions of the Deanship cover all activities relating to publications, data, holdings, circulations, and the representation of the university in field locally, regionally, and internationally.

Deans:

- Dr.  Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Dobaib 1394-1400 H (1974-1980)

- Dr. Abdel-Aziz bin Saleh Al-Hulabi 1400-1403 H  (1980-1983)

- Dr.  Abdul-Aziz bin Hamid Abu Zenada  1403-1406 H (1983-1986)

- Dr.  Saad bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Rashid 1406-1412 H (1986-1992)

- Dr. Saad bin Abdullah Al-Dobayan 1413-1417 H  (1993-1997)

- Dr. Suleiman Bin Saleh Al-Okla 1417-1428 H (1997-2007)

- Dr. Abdel Wahab bin Mohammed Aba AL-Kheil 1428-1430 H (2007-2009)

- Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah bin Saud bin Khudair (Current Dean)

Vice Dean

- Vice Dean for Development and Quality Dr. Abdul Rahman A. Al-Shammari