Dubai e-library system links six public libraries

Residents will now have greater access to reference material and book titles following yesterday's launch of the Municipality's e-library system through its website which offers the services of public libraries as part of its e-government initiative. The site - www.dpl.dm.gov.ae - which is also accessible from the Municipality's website - www.dm.gov.ae - facilitates the search of titles in the six public libraries in Dubai. People can locate the title they want, find out which library has it, and then visit to read or borrow the book or CD.

Municipality Director-General Qassim Sultan said the site, available in English and Arabic, would enable surfers to have information on all titles of books and other audio, visual and information technology material available in the libraries. "This two-year project began by linking the Central Library in Al Ras to the five branch libraries in other parts of the emirate and converting information through an advanced system," he said.

The six public libraries at Al Ras, Hor Al Anz, Rashidiya, Safa, Umm Suqeim and Hatta have been linked by a computer network. "It was developed taking into consideration the future requirements of the libraries. Maximum care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the information," he said.

Obaid Salim Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Administrative and General Services Affairs, said the new system had several trial runs and the speed of the search facility had been found to be satisfactory. "We hope that the e-library facility will motivate more people to visit libraries and become members," Al Shamsi said.

He said that last year 155,710 visitors used library facilities and 400 people became new members. He said the links to other libraries include those of the Sharjah Public Library, American University of Sharjah, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE University and Al Muntada Al Islami Library. The libraries provide Internet facility to visitors for a fee of Dh5 and there is a CD-ROM network at the Central Library (Al Ras) with a capacity of 28 CDs. This network is also accessible from the other five public libraries.