The biggest library in the Arab world – Mohammed bin Rashid Library, located in Al Jaddaf, Dubai, has been inaugurated by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The library will open its doors to the public on Thursday, June 16.
“Yesterday, we opened the Mohammed bin Rashid Library. It is the most modern Arab library. Today, we ordered the distribution of three million books to thousands of schools in the Arab world in support of reading. The library’s message is Arab. It will have positive impacts that will reach the region, God willing,” Sheikh Mohammed posted on Twitter on Tuesday.
It took AED 1 billion to build this seven-floor library which is designed to resemble an open book sitting on a rehl (a traditional lectern which holds the Quran).
Here’s everything you need to know about Dubai’s brand-new incredible Landmark: Mohammed bin Rashid Library
The Library spans 54,000 square metres which is home to more than 1.1 million printed and digital books in Arabic and foreign languages with more than 100,000 titles, 35,000 print and digital newspapers from around the world, nearly 500 rare collectibles, six million dissertations, around 73,000 music scores, 75,000 videos, approximately 13,000 articles, and more than 5,000 historical print and digital journals.
The Library makes use of latest technology and artificial intelligence (AI) including automated book storage system, electronic book retrieval system, self service booths, a book digitization lab, and a small robot to respond to visitors’ inquiries along with augmented and virtual reality technologies.
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The Library houses a 500-seater amphitheater, a literary museum, a conference centre, The Languages Garden, a gift shop and a café that will be spread over two floors.
The Library has a Braille service for its visually empowered visitors and a sensory pod is available to those with autism.
There are nine themed libraries or sections spread across the seven floors of the Library viz general library space, a young adults library, a colorful children’s library, a library dedicated to maps and atlases, a media and art library, information center, a business library, an Emirates library, a periodicals library, an information library and one titled ‘Treasure of the Library’ which is a collection of rare manuscripts and exhibits that makes it one-of-a-kind to explore.
The Library can host 1,000 visitors at any one time and will be open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm and is closed on Sundays. There is no entry fees required for access to Library but visitors must register online and also there is free car parking.
The first three months will see the MBRL having restricted access to residents and visitors who will have to register on the app to visit the library. “We want to have a soft launch and ensure everything works smoothly,” said Jamal Al Shehhi. “The library will operate at full capacity only after the summer months.”
