In November 2009 the Bibliothèque nationale de France BnF), in partnership with the Cultural Council of the Union for the Mediterranean (UPM) and the SNCF (French National Railways), donated half a million books to the BA. The SNCF, which sponsored and undertook the shipment of the donation from Paris to Alexandria is now writing a book called “The 500001st Book”, about this special gift. The SNCF have requested to interview Serageldin for this purpose, as one of the key figures that contributed to the success of this operation. The interview will take place during his visit to the BnF.