The library was established in 1921, with a donation from Viscount Philippe de Tarrazi of twenty thousand books, many rare manuscripts, and the first issues of national newspapers.

[2] The Lebanese government decreed in 1924 that a copy of every book printed in Lebanon must be submitted, and also provided the library with a staff of eight clerks.

[2] An impassioned plea for a National Library of Lebanon was published in 1998 by the Lebanese Association of Antique Dealers, under the signature of Jean-Pierre Fattal.

[3] The following year, the European Commission decides to send a study mission to Beirut in order to assist the Lebanese government.

This mission is immediately followed by an exhibition titled "collective memory" which was presented at the Sursock Museum in the Lebanese Capital.