3rd Anniversary of the Fire of the Library of Algiers
Fire in the library of the University of Algiers
On June 7, 1962 at 12:27 p.m., the University Library of Algiers was engulfed in flames. The fire caused by the Secret Armed Organization (OAS), which aims to deprive the new independent nation of the documentary funds necessary for the training of its executives, completely destroyed the work rooms and book stores.
500,000 books are burned or damaged. The damage is estimated at more than 7 billion old francs. An International Committee for the reconstruction of the library of the University of Algiers (CIRBUA) was created on December 21, 1962. Its mission is the reconstruction of the buildings, the reconstitution of the funds, the equipment of the reading room and the stores.
An appeal is launched to the Algerian people and to international opinion with a view to collecting the funds and documentation necessary for the resumption of the activity of the BU. The results obtained are extremely encouraging: thousands of volumes have been collected and a significant sum of money has been earmarked for the acquisition of academic works.
In July 1965, the Arab Postal Union wanted to be associated with this day by inviting its members to issue a postage stamp with surcharge, the amount of which will be paid to the CIRBUA fund.
On June 7, 1962 at 12:27 p.m., the University Library of Algiers was engulfed in flames. The fire caused by the Secret Armed Organization (OAS), which aims to deprive the new independent nation of the documentary funds necessary for the training of its executives, completely destroyed the work rooms and book stores.
500,000 books are burned or damaged. The damage is estimated at more than 7 billion old francs. An International Committee for the reconstruction of the library of the University of Algiers (CIRBUA) was created on December 21, 1962. Its mission is the reconstruction of the buildings, the reconstitution of the funds, the equipment of the reading room and the stores.
An appeal is launched to the Algerian people and to international opinion with a view to collecting the funds and documentation necessary for the resumption of the activity of the BU. The results obtained are extremely encouraging: thousands of volumes have been collected and a significant sum of money has been earmarked for the acquisition of academic works.
In July 1965, the Arab Postal Union wanted to be associated with this day by inviting its members to issue a postage stamp with surcharge, the amount of which will be paid to the CIRBUA fund.