Despite its strengths, Shamela has limitations:

Scholars use Shamila not just for reading but for research. The software allows users to:

The team constantly revises texts to reduce OCR errors. Users can report mistakes via an integrated feedback system.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Al Maktaba Al Shamila is that it is generally distributed for free. It is a project driven by a spirit of charity and the propagation of knowledge (Sadaqah Jariyah). The developers have encouraged users to copy and distribute the software, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent seekers of knowledge from accessing these texts.

The library contains over (depending on the version). These include: