Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Library turns global hub for ideas, learning

A symbol of Dubai’s enduring commitment to culture, literacy and lifelong learning

Last updated: November 07, 2025 | 07:40

Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor and Virendra Saklani, Chief Visual Journalist

2 MIN READ

Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Library turns global hub for ideas, learning

WAM

Dubai: The Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) on Dubai Creek’s Al Jaddaf district officially welcomed the public on June 16, 2022, marking a major milestone in the emirate’s cultural and educational ambitions.

Built at a cost of AED 1 billion, the seven-storey building spreads across some 54,000 m² and took six years of planning and construction to complete. Designed in the shape of an open book resting on a rahlé (Arabic lectern), the Mohammed bin Rashid Library’s architecture makes a bold statement — blending traditional symbolism with striking modern design.

Inside, the library houses nine specialised collections — the General Library, Emirates Library, Young Adults Library, Children’s Library, Special Collections, Maps & Atlases, Media & Arts, Business and Periodicals. It holds more than 1.1 million printed and digital books, over 6 million dissertations, 73,000 music scores, 75,000 videos, 35,000 newspapers from around the world, and nearly 500 rare collectables.

The library also distinguishes itself through advanced technology: robotic book retrieval systems, self-service kiosks, digitisation labs, augmented and virtual reality features and smart-robot assistants for visitors. Sustainability is built in too – the building recycles water from air-conditioning systems for landscaping and incorporates solar panels to offset energy use.

Located beside the Creek, and accessible via the nearby Creek Metro Station, the MBRL opens not just books but doors — to research, to culture, to creative exchange. As Dubai shapes its identity beyond commerce and tourism, this library stands out as a “knowledge landmark” — a space where reading, heritage and innovation converge.

Devadasan K PChief Visual Editor

Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct. Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action. Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya. His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011. He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.