Abu Dhabi: The family beach on the Corniche here is drawing beach goers and book lovers alike.
Thanks to the beachfront public library, residents who love to combine reading with their beach time are thronging the seaside. And those who do not want to wet their feet can enjoy a good read as well as the sea view by sitting at the library’s portico.
“This ‘books and beach’ combination is simply awesome. I do most of my reading while I am sun-soaking at the beach,” said Emiliea Bounce, an American expat.
A housewife, Bounce said she has been coming to the library with her kids at least three times a week.
“My kids love it here. It is a nice way to get them into the habit of reading as they can switch between books and playing in the sand,” said Bounce.
The library, which opened more than a year ago, has a good collection of children’s books besides fiction, biographies, encyclopedias, history, cooking, life skills and more.
The Emirati collection includes coffee table books on the history of the UAE, and the life and times of the rulers by the famous UAE photographer Noor Al Ali.
Librarian Mariam Fowzi Al Thamimi said western expats and especially tourists go for the books on the UAE.
“For them it is a great opportunity to know about the country they are visiting. They don’t have to necessarily buy a book on the UAE when they are here,” said Emirati Thamimi who has been working at the library since it opened in April 2014.
iPad time for kids
The library also has three desktop computers for browsing and 14 iPads that visitors can borrow while they are on the beach.
“My kids enjoy playing with the iPads since they don’t have access to one at home. So our beach time is also iPad time for my kids,” said Pakistani mother Ayesha Khureshi.
However, some residents expressed their desire to see the library timing extended beyond 5pm. The library remains closed on weekends too. It is open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays.
“Since it’s too hot during the day, most families prefer to hit the beach after 4pm. It would be better if they could keep the library open till 8pm,” suggested Anand Rao, an Indian expat who is a regular at the family beach.
He said it was disappointing to find the library closed on weekends as that is when people would love to spend time relaxing on the beach.
The Abu Dhabi Municipality in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Culture has opened similar libraries in Khalifa Park and Al Bahya Park. And the authorities have announced plans to open more libraries in the near future.
