In 711, following the Umayyad conquest, the establishment of the first libraries in Al-Andalus, particularly in cities like Córdoba, marked a significant cultural shift. These libraries became centers of knowledge, housing works from various cultures, including Greek, Roman, and Persian texts. This initiative not only preserved classical knowledge but also facilitated the exchange of ideas, which would influence European thought during the Renaissance.

The libraries in Al-Andalus played a crucial role in the development of poetry and literature by providing access to a wealth of texts. Poets such as Ibn Zaydun and later figures in the Spanish Golden Age drew inspiration from the diverse literary traditions housed within these libraries. The blending of cultures fostered by these institutions laid the groundwork for the rich poetic forms that emerged in medieval Spain.