Qatar National Library, located in the Education City, Doha is an impressive state-of-art institute for learning. The library is known for its impressive collection of manuscripts, educational books, heritage books, and more that can foster learning in society. The striking architecture and innovative technology make it a wonder to explore. The library with more than millions of books is open to all who wish to delve into the depth of history, heritage, business, and more. The library consists of a conversation and preservation laboratory focused on preserving important cultural and historical items.
Qatar National Library Established to Offer An Exceptional Learning Environment
The National library, established in 2012 was formed by the Qatar foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. The plan was announced by Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, the chairperson of Qatar Foundation. In 2018, the library was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Every detail about the country, which include its culture, heritage and history has been preserved for the citizens.
Tourists will get a glimpse of the history of the Arabian Gulf. Home to over 500,000 periodicals, eBook, newspapers and a million books, the Qatar public library is a heaven on earth for all the book lovers. People visiting the library will find all kinds of important information that will help shaping the future of Qatar and its people. Teachers or researchers at the library include experts in dealing with academic programs and ethical services.
The aim is to be one of the best learning and research center in the world as they are committed to dedicating creativity and discovery over time. The library was established with an idea to create a platform where the heritage and culture of the Arabian gulf is preserved along with providing a place for social learning.
Highlights About The Architecture Of The Qatar National Library
The Doha national library was designed by a Dutch architect, Rem Koolhaas, an urbanist, an architectural theorist and Professor at Architecture and Urban Design at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. One of the most stunning attractions is the architecture of the library, along with its vast information collection.
The urbanist along with his creative team of designers, created the idea of designing the structure to extract an abstract value of the book. The books have raised the bar with focusing on the cultural importance of the country, something people will not learn anywhere else.
The design of the national library Doha is unique as its shape depicts two papers pulled apart and diagonally folded by the corners. The structure comes across as a shell. Home to a central plaza, a bridge, a library and tiered stacks, the building covers an area of 42,000 square meters. Several exhibitions and events with theatre and open and closed lounges are other things people will get to see.
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Use of Innovation ad Technology in Qatar Digital library
When talking about the interiors, the structure includes a glass façade with sunlight that enters the building. The Qatar library has sustained a connected with the world outside and favors a natural source of light for reading. The details are a blend of imperial materials for each section. The use of marble along with stainless steel design are seen everywhere in the library.
Along with being the 21st sanctuary, the Qatar library has preserved its cultural values along a few other features that make it the best creative state of the art in the city.
- With features like self-check in and out and radio frequency, people will have an easy and convenient access inside the library.
- An identification system has been introduced to allow visitors to move through the shelving tiers.
- A large collection of technical gadgets like computers, audiovisual equipment, interactive screens ad tablets.
- The protection and restoration of Heritage library is taken care of by the conservation and preservation laboratory.
- Climate control technology are seen featured in the display cases in the library of Qatar.
A Peek Into The Collection At The Qatar International Library
One of the best places to visit in Qatar is the library for its collection of over 800,000 volumes of national and international books and manuscripts.
Home to several foreign languages like French, Italian, Spanish, Tamil, Russian, Chinese, Nepali, Bengali, German, Portuguese, Tagalog along with a range of diversity in religion, people will never want to leave.
- 100, 000 print Arabic and English books with digital options like Qatar national library eBooks and e-magazines for kids
- Over 30,000 educational books along with magazines, graphic novels, guides for school curriculum and preparation textbooks, for the ACT and SAT preparations.
- 4,000 manuscripts, 26,000 printed books, 70,000 photographs and atlases are the ideal heritage collection worth seeing.
- Books related to pharmacology, medical and astronomy, history and culture of Qatar and Islamic country.
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Qatar National Library Timings and Accessibility
One of the most important things for any book lover or traveler is the range of information and knowledge about the history and heritage of the country. Traveling by metro that functions in every corner, is one of the most fun things to do in Qatar as one can get a glimpse of the views while passing by.
Connected to the gold and red line, the green line is only a couple of minutes away from the national library. One can interchange at Al Bidda or Msheireb and take the metro from the green line. The Qatar National library location can be reached by cab from the airport, which is only about 26 kms away. The library timings are:
- Sunday to Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: Closed
Amenities At The Qatar National Library
The Qatar library is a stunning site to behold for its architecture and monolithic façade that portray scholastic functions of a library, home to several books, newspapers, and several collections in various languages. The place is a hub for creativity as it offers catalog along with online collection, cutting edge technology rentals, a calendar of events. It is an impressive building created to give an impression of an amphitheater of books, tiered floors of shelved books on each side seen from the ground floor.
One of the things to do in Doha is attend a few grand events at the auditorium. Do you want to know something interesting? You can see a suspended bridge like structure at the upper level, providing a platform where one can watch events unfolding. For the purpose of studying, the ground floor was designed and equipped with PC workstations, tables, printers, scanners, study rooms, media lounges with audio-visual equipment, and a large conference room.
Heritage library which includes rate and valuable books and artefacts, is seen on the basement level. One can see the ground floor from the open ceiling. Tourists visiting are often awe-struck by the cave of treasures and the sand-colored marbles. Early texts and manuscripts of Arabic and Islamic civilization, historical maps and pictures of Qatar and the gulf region, writings and relics of travelers visiting and passing through the city are some of the most stunning collections to see.
Kids can enjoy reading books which enables them to learn and of course play a few games on the ground floor. Easy reads, picture books to fiction novels and study guides, there is something for everyone. Learning games and activities, events, educational toys, crafts tables and climbing walls are some of the thing's kids can enjoy apart from reading. Speaking of study guides, the Qatar national library books include ACTs and SATs. While kids prepare for the exams, parents can do a bit of quiet reading of their own and if help is needed, then they can always ask the librarians for assistance.
Besides all the reading and learning, kids can take a break and go to one of the restaurants in Qatar along with their parents can grab a bite to eat. The cuisine is a must try as it is filled with flavors that will do a little happy dance on one’s palette.
Users with special needs can avail of the reading and writing tables, individual study carrels, computer labs and assistive technology area that offer equipment and software. The technology rooms are booked on an hourly basis and is fully equipped with 3D printers, green screens, video and photography equipment, sound recording equipment, musical instruments, electronic and robotics equipment and software. People can always visit the Qatar national library website to know more about it.
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Services Offered By Qatar National Library
People can look the range of services offered by the Qatar National Library online. Most of the amenities include:
1. Reading and study spaces
What can one expect when visiting a library? A room to read a book quietly? Adapted to your needs, the library offers a space to study, conduct a work meeting and much more. It is equipped with several open tables, reading rooms, private study areas and much more. One of the most interesting things about the library is its study carrels along with a reading space for 14 people.
2. Becoming A Member
The membership program is one of the most essential services offered to the residents or those with a citizenship. Without any additional charges, people can get their membership card. Those applying for a membership will have to show their residence proof during the registration process.
3. Computers For Public Use
Guests can use the public computers along with the printers and scanners, found throughout the library. One can use the internet for all kinds of research if required. People can use the computers situated on various floors, which include:
- First floor, next to the café
- The second floor, on the bridge
- Between bookshelves
- Computer labs
People can even attend some of the computer activities and training sessions organized at the Qatar international library.
4. Conservation and Preservation
The preservation of old books counts for a lot at the library. Since the 19th century, the old books and manuscripts have been produced and are susceptible to deterioration from natural and external sources. Trained professionals are committed to preserving the cultural heritage for the future generations. Some of the areas that the conservation and experts of the library deal with include:
- Preventive conservation
- Bio-deterioration analysis and treatment
- Conservation
- Materials analysis
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Things To Do At The Qatar Library
Visiting the library is one of the best things to do, especially for all the book worms out there, who love to spend hours reading their favorite books or novels. Apart from spending time at the library, one can even spend a day at the beaches in Doha with their family and friends. However, there are certain things one can do at the library, which include:
1. Photography and Videography Courses
Some of the most popular Qatar national library careers are advertising, videography and photography in the world of social media. It is one of the most creative jobs for those with a creative side. Beginners and Pro Artists can join the classes and become better at their skills. Editing, photoshop, digital photography and other advance techniques are some of the various courses offered at the library.
2. Learn an instrument at the Qatar National Library Music Studio
Learning never stops. If people are interested in learning something new, then they can master their skills in music and learn how to play a musical instrument. Digital recording gadgets, latest headphones and much more are some of the latest technologies found at the library. One can learn how to play the piano, drums, guitar, violin and others. These are things that make learning fun and something that will leave people wanting more.
3. Learn 3D printing and Software
One of the latest development people would have rarely heard of is of the latest developments. The national library focuses teaching students about the latest technologies and advancements which include learning about designing things using 3d technology and fine printing techniques.
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How To Become Members Of The National Library
If you’re a local of Qatar, then you need not pay for a membership card for the library. In case you are new to the place, and want to apply, then the process of registration is given on the website, so go through it. The process includes attaching a copy of QID or resident permit and then wait for an email from the admin office.
Process Of Registration
Besides attaching your resident permit with the form, there are a couple of other things you will need to complete the process, which include:
- Personal details
- Password
- QID number/expiry date
- Preferred language
- Address
Advantages of Attaining Membership
Some of the best advantages is you can borrow books, gain access to the heritage library, avail of the online resources and also take part in some of the educational and public programs and events. It doesn’t end here; you will also get access to the account which can be used for:
- Loans and Due Dates
- Renew items
- fines, fees or blocks
In case you lose your membership card, you will be fined a certain amount.
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Qatar national library stands as an architectural masterpiece and an epitome of culture and literature that holds the aim to impart education. Peek into the global insight of GCC and relive every event of the past that has changed the world to where it stands. It is a one-stop destination where people get to admire architecture and art. The library is an integral part of Education city and has endeavored every innovative technology in its interiors. There are cabs and even metro connectivity to the library making it easier for tourists and expats to explore the city.
Qatar National Library - FAQs
The Qatar National Library is located in Education City and is the biggest library in the country. The library was designed by a Dutch architect, Rem Koolhaas.
National Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum and Arab Postal Stamps Museum are some of the museums people should visit.
The best time to visit Qatar is December to February as the weather is pleasant. People can explore all the various attractions and have the best time of their lives.
Photography and Videography Courses, learn an instrument at the Qatar National Library Music Studio, and 3D printing and Software are some of the things people can do.
The museum has over 800,000 collections of textbooks, religious books and manuscripts. There are several books written in various languages people can read as per their interest.
Climate controlled display cases, Automatic self-checkout, Digitization Laboratory, Events Area and Mover system for transportation are some of the features offered at the library.
The Qatar National Library was inaugurated on 16 April 2018. The library is a member of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development.
Restaurant and café, Event space, Interactive screens, 120-seat auditorium and Children's Library are some of the places to see at the library.
If you have a membership of Qatar National Library, you can borrow up to 20 books for 21 days, with two renewals. There is temporary membership also available for the visitors.
Qatar National Library is located at an accessible distance from the airport. There is also metro connectivity that makes commuting easier.
