Why Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Library is a big deal

Dubai The Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Library, whose launch was announced in Dubai on February 1, is the largest cultural centre in the region. To be located at Al Jaddaf, the upcoming library is designed in the shape of an open book. Officials said the piling work has begun and construction will be completed by the end of 2017. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has stressed that the Arab world is facing a learning gap which underlines the need for projects the size of this historic cultural challenge. Here is the story of the ambitious project in figures:

1 billion dirhams is the total investment in the library

42 million people will be benefitted every year

10 million books will be printed and distributed by the library

9 million visitors expected to visit the complex annually

4.5 million is the number of books it will offer, of which 2 million will be electronic books, 1.5 million will be printed books and 1 million will be audio books

2.4 million dirhams is the prize money of an ‘Arabic Language Award’ it will institute

1 million square feet is the library’s area

500 seater theatre among the highlights

8 specialised sections will cover books from different disciplines - children, youth, family, business, Arabic, International, popular and multimedia 7 storeys in the complex will be built in the complex