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Specialist materials and sources of information are available at the library in a special section where members can find files holding rare documents, theses, government publications, maps, and manuscripts. The section also helps members to locate their required textbooks inside the library, and guides them throughout the process. The library also offers a training program for the students of the university. The aim of the program is teaching the students the importance of the specialist collections and how they are organized on the library shelves. Each category in the specialist collection section is classified using specific letters, which appear on the classification label, above the request number. These can be identified by using the digital index. Due to the rarity and value of the materials belonging to specialist collections, the library keeps them in a closed hall isolated from the rest of the library sections to ensure their safety.
The specialist collections include the following materials and sources of information:
- Scientific theses: The collection includes MA and PhD theses completed by KAU students, in either printed or digital form. Theses in Arabic are classified by the Arabic letter (ر), and theses in other languages by the English letter (D) followed by the initial letter of the university which approved it. The theses are organized in the section according to a bibliographic list which follows specific classification codes.
- Official publications: Official publications include all official printed documents which are published by institutions, ministries, foundations, companies, firms, and banks, whether they are local, Arabic, or international. They also include research reports, statistical reports, developments plans, indexes, systems, and organizational structures. Official publications in Arabic are denoted by the letter ( س) and foreign official publications by the letters(OD).
- Manuscripts: The oldest manuscript in the library is a copy of the Holy Quran which was inscribed in 391 H by Abu Alhasan Ali Ibn Helal, who is also known as Ibn Albawab. However, it is not the original but a very good copy. The oldest original manuscript is a book about Semantics by Yahya Ibn Asharf Alnwawee which was written in 803H.
- Maps and street maps: This category includes pictures, graphics, and illustrative geographical, geological and agricultural maps, city and street maps, climates of Arabic and Islamic countries, in addition to city and population layouts for all KSA cities.
Specialist collections are to be used exclusively for research purposes inside or outside the university by members according to the following protocols:
1- Materials may only be used inside the section.
2- Items kept in specialist collections are not available for loan.
3- Members are permitted to copy official publications.
4- Teaching staff and postgraduate students are permitted to photocopy only 25 pages of any theses completed by students of the university, but first they should file a request and provide their ID card.
5- Users are permitted to view theses which are available on CD – ROM by using one of the computers reserved for this purpose inside the specialist collections hall.
6- Users are permitted to view theses which are available on Micro films by using the Microfilm reader.
7- Manuscripts may also be photocopied according to the procedures below:
- Users should file a request to the supervisor for photocopying the manuscript they require.
- Users must provide proof of identity and the purpose for copying a manuscript. If the original copy is required, permission must first be given by the Dean of Library Affairs.
- Users who belong to scientific foundations or organizations, whether inside or outside the KSA, must provide a written request to their employers, so that a formal letter can be sent to the library to confirm the purpose for photocopying.
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