Dubai: A pilot project to revamp Al Safa public library will serve as a benchmark for the restructuring of Dubai’s other public libraries in a bid to introduce new experiences for reading and literature across the city.
The Al Safa public library facility, led by Dubai Culture in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, is set to be completed during the first quarter of 2017.
Shaikha Latifa Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-chairman of Dubai Culture, announced on Saturday the launch of the strategic initiative by Dubai Culture to revamp all its public libraries in Dubai.
This initiative coincides with the vision of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to mark 2016 as the ‘Year of Reading’ in the UAE. It is also designed to reflect the Dubai Public Libraries’ purpose as prominent centres for knowledge and culture in the emirate.
“The launch of our public libraries’ revamping project underpins the strategic objectives of Dubai Culture to make reading and gaining knowledge very accessible and convenient for Dubai’s residents by providing them with fully integrated, comfortable and modern facilities,” Shaikha Latifa said.
Al Safa Public Library
The new Al Safa facility will consist of different areas and functions. The main library area will house all books and publications related to the arts and design industry, including books, manuals, magazines, publications as well as reference materials and also a section dedicated to showcasing materials. Digital content and databases will also be accessible to visitors, including digital stock imaging libraries.
Upon the delivery of the pilot project, Al Safa public library will include a large collection of books and additional resources covering the different fields of art and design. It will serve as a platform and community centre for members of the creative community and beyond to meet, create, work, research and read. In addition, it will also encourage partnerships and collaboration between regional and international institutions for content generation and programming.
Currently, the Dubai Public Library network includes eight libraries for adults and another seven for children, as well as multi-purpose halls and classrooms.
All Dubai public library branches are connected via computer systems and have links with other modern libraries, providing access to vast sources of information and knowledge on an immense diversity of topics in both Arabic and English.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality, said, “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Dubai Culture in delivering this important initiative. The overhaul of the current public library system is a step in the right direction towards achieving our ambitious goals as part of the Dubai 2021 vision and, through this collaboration, we aim to highlight the importance of creativity and facilitate easy access to knowledge through reading.”
Revamped library facilities
The main library area will house all books and publications related to the arts and design industry.
The library will include a large collection of books and additional resources covering the different fields of art and design.
Library will serve as a community centre for members of Dubai’s creative community
A section will be dedicated to showcasing materials.
Digital content and databases will also be accessible to visitors, including digital stock imagining libraries.
