Over the course of Reading Month, and within the framework of its vision and strategy to support the vision and aspirations of the leadership towards promoting knowledge and cultural mobility, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library organized a series of events and initiatives to promote and encourage reading among members of society, which contributed to attracting about 30,000 visitors, in addition to distributing 3,000 books. Orphans, while the total number of books read reached more than 5,000 books in various specialized sub-libraries.
During Reading Month, the library was keen to organize many enriching events and launch initiatives and programs targeting all age groups, with the aim of encouraging the spirit of fun and excitement around reading, in a way that supports its vision of creating a stimulating environment for reading and exchanging opinions and knowledge.
With the launch of “Dubai Social Agenda 33”, it hosted a discussion session entitled “For Longer-Lasting Relationships” under the supervision of Saad Al-Rifai, which highlighted the role of the family in building a cohesive society. It also organized, in partnership with the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, the “Technology and Culture of Tomorrow” forum with the participation of experts. And researchers to discuss the impact of technology on culture and cultural heritage.
As part of its vision to support new generations, the library worked to allocate events and sessions that support their intellectual works and meet their aspirations, including a reading evening for young Emirati writers to showcase their publications and literary works. It also celebrated “Emirati Children’s Day” under the slogan “The Right to Protection” through distinguished activities with the participation of a group of Emirati children’s writers, in addition to organizing a rich program to raise awareness of all segments of society about children’s rights in a way that supports their development in a healthy and safe environment.
The library organized many dialogue and poetry sessions, including: discussing the book “Letters from the Qur’an” by Azza Suleiman, and the novel “Peace from the Underground” in cooperation with the Writers Club, in addition to the “Al-Marmoum” session, which documented the inauguration of the Al-Marmoum Desert Reserve, in addition to readings in… Travel literature texts. The library celebrated World Poetry Day, by highlighting the life of the poet Mahmoud Darwish, and his literary career full of achievements.
The library participated in the activities of the International Festival of Libraries and Technology in Turkey, which was organized under the slogan “The Key to the Digital Future: Smart Libraries Based on Artificial Intelligence,” along with a group of experts, innovators and specialists in the field of public libraries from around the world.
The participation aimed to enhance academic and practical cooperation with libraries, information centers and archives at the global level, exchange technical information and closely link it to the field of library science, and communicate directly with institutions related to public libraries to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation.
The library showcased its latest technologies and innovations, through a video clip, which included the latest artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies integrated into its advanced technological system, and the most prominent smart services available in its corridors in a qualitative step towards enhancing the readers’ experience and ease of access to cognitive content in an unprecedented manner.
During this participation, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library team had an educational tour in Istanbul to learn about the city’s ancient public and historical libraries, which included a visit to Rami Library, the largest public library in Istanbul, where the team was briefed on its rich holdings of rare books and manuscripts, in addition to… To the library of the Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Museum “Museum and Archive of Literature”, the “Sultan Ahmed III” Library in Topkapi Palace, and the “Bayezid National Library”.
A world reads
On the occasion of “Zayed Humanitarian Work Day,” and within the “World Reads” initiative, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, in cooperation with the Community Development Authority, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, and the Family Village for Orphans in Dubai, donated about 3,000 books to a number of orphans and young people. This is based on its mission and belief in the importance of contributing to social responsibility programs, in a way that supports the promotion of the passion for knowledge and love of reading among everyone.