The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has assumed the management of the emirate’s eight public libraries from Dubai Municipality.

The transfer of ownership and new management highlight the ongoing commitment and mandate of the Authority to nurture institutions which facilitate cultural and literary activities, furthering Dubai’s position as a vibrant Arabian global city for culture and the arts in the 21st century.

Dubai’s eight libraries have played a significant role in the development of a rich literary infrastructure, providing important community spaces that offer opportunities for cross-cultural communication.

Following the integration under the aegis of the Authority, library services for the members and public will be improved with the introduction of new initiatives and activities designed to meet the demands of Dubai’s dynamic and diverse community. With the transition, the Dubai Public Library will have a renewed outlook and new brand identity.

“There are natural synergies between the activities offered at Dubai’s public libraries and the mission of the Dubai Culture, and this transition will enable the emirate’s libraries to be more responsive to the evolving needs of Dubai’s residents. The libraries will offer renewed services with emphasis on a new and improved offering and functioning,” said Saeed Al Nabouda, chief projects officer at the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

“We look forward to working alongside the libraries to implement the transformation smoothly and effectively for the benefit of the public. The Authority acknowledges Dubai Municipality’s successful management of Dubai Public Library over the past 40 years, overseeing an impressive expansion of facilities, and the quality and range of services provided,” he added.

The Dubai Public Library is regarded as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural fabric. It has facilitated the collection of, and public access to, Dubai’s literary heritage and collections, developing audiences by fostering an understanding and appreciation of literary culture, and encouraging access to these resources through efficient services and state-of-the-art technology.

The transition will involve a thorough review of the Dubai Public Library and a new approach aimed to enhance existing and new collections. This will involve providing dedicated resources to acquire new selections for children’s books and classic Arabic novels, as well as adding to the available electronic collections.

“With the transition, the Dubai Public Library will be aligned with the vision and mission of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. We are proud to be part of the Authority's ongoing commitment in supporting and nurturing the cultural and literary institutions in Dubai,” said Mohammed Al Eraidi, director of the Dubai Public Library.

“Each of the city’s libraries will continue current operations, and members and residents of Dubai can expect future changes that improve services and provide new opportunities to engage further with the literary culture in Dubai.”

Library membership is open to all residents of Dubai, catering specifically to the needs of professionals, students, families and businesses through a range of tailored services.

These services range from book lending, access to online resources, and programmed activities, including adult education programmes, language programmes and even specialized training facilities for the Accredited International Computer Drivers License programme (ICDL).

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority will continue to build on the leading role of Dubai’s public libraries within the community, with a focus on fostering education and promoting inter-cultural community engagement.-TradeArabia News Service