One of the largest collections of Afghanistan research materials in the world is housed at the Criss Library, University of Nebraska at Omaha. Scholars are provided with expert assistance and access to the comprehensive, unique, and well-organized resources of the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection.

The collection contains over 20,000 titles. A number of documents in the collection, such as a decorated manuscript of "Haft Aurang," poems by Jami (1414 - 1492), are rare and unique to this library.

The collection is especially strong in 19th and early 20th century English language books by British authors conveying their personal experiences and the British Indian government's policy concerning Afghanistan. English, Dari, and Pashto are the primary languages of the collection. Materials are in twenty-four different languages. Most items are cataloged and may be searched and identified through the library's catalog.

Using the Collection

The Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection serves the research needs of all interested scholars. Due to the archival nature of the collection, items are used in the library, and not available via interlibrary loan. Advance appointments are recommended. Photocopying is usually permitted unless it violates copyright law or might cause damage.

Digital Collections

Libraries and cultural institutions throughout Afghanistan have been devastated by a quarter-century of conflict, and many vital texts were lost. The Criss Library initiated a multi-year digitization project to ensure availability of its resources for the purposes of public access, research, and scholarship. The Arthur Paul Digital Collection Repository includes a wide variety of books, journals, maps, photographs, and other documents.

Collection Highlights

• Extensive 19th and 20th century political histories of Afghanistan.
• Material on all aspects of Afghan lives from pre-historic periods to the present.
• Detailed Anglo-Afghan war descriptions.
• Unique and historic maps dating from the 16th century to the present.
• Photograph collections including "The Afghan Folio" by Luke Powell, and "Afghanistan: Images of War" by Bruce Richardson.
• Oral histories covering the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
• Documentary films.
• Constitutions of Afghanistan.
  • In 2003, Shaista Wahab, librarian for the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection, was the Archivist for the Constitutional Loya Jirga, Afghanistan's General Assembly, as it worked to write a new constitution for Afghanistan. The constitutional history of Afghanistan thus became a logical focus for the collection

For inquiries or appointments with the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection librarian, telephone (402) 554-2404 or email Shaista Wahab

Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection
Criss Library
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182-0237

© 2008 UNO Criss Library | 6001 Dodge Street | Omaha, NE 68182-0237 | 402.554.3206 | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Contact Us