A Closer Look At Dubai’s Spectacular Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

Nestled along the historic Dubai Creek, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library stands out with its shape resembling a traditional Islamic lectern. This distinctive center opened in 2022 and is the largest in all of Dubai. The library’s collection encompasses titles and resources across the spectrum of the latest developments concerning research and academia.

This library attempts to bridge the gap by blending tradition with cutting-edge technology to foster a space where deep culture intertwines with modern convenience. While Dubai boasts a skyline of towering skyscrapers and opulent malls, this sanctuary offers a haven for those seeking literary stimulation and serenity.

Visitor Information

The Architecture

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai is an architectural masterpiece that embodies a love for knowledge and cultural heritage. Designed by a consortium of architects including Obermeyer Group, the Dubai municipality, and ACG Architecture Consulting Group, the library’s most striking feature is its shape – it is designed to resemble an open book resting on a lectern.

This design choice is not merely aesthetic; it pays homage to the region’s rich Islamic tradition, where the lectern (known as a Rehl) is used to hold the Holy Quran. The open book symbolizes Dubai’s commitment to fostering a culture of reading and lifelong learning.

The Collection

With 7 levels spanning 54,000 sqm and harboring over a million titles and rare manuscripts along with a database of digital titles and videos, there’s much to ogle here. This cultural project is home to numerous study rooms and nine separate libraries housing the largest catalog of books in the Middle East.

General Library: This is the largest collection of the public library, with over 100,000 books on various topics, including great literary works, languages, history, geography, philosophy, health, cooking, sports, and personal development. They also have a good selection of Arabic and English fiction and non-fiction books. Additionally, the library includes books in braille for visually impaired readers.

Emirates Library: This is an entire library dedicated to preserving and showcasing the UAE’s literary heritage. It houses a collection of digital books, manuscripts, and other materials related to the country’s history, culture, and people.

Children’s Library: This vibrant space on the ground floor is designed to spark a love of reading in young children. It has a collection of books, audiobooks, and other multimedia resources tailored for children of different age groups.

Young Adult Library: This section caters to the interests of teenagers and young adults, with a collection of books, magazines, and other resources on various topics relevant to them.

Map and Atlas Library: Located on the first floor, this section houses a collection of maps, atlases, and globes from around the world.

Media and Arts Library: This section has a collection of books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and other multimedia resources related to the arts, music, and film.

Business Library: This section provides resources for entrepreneurs and business professionals, including books, journals, and databases on business titles.

Periodicals Library: This section houses a collection of newspapers, magazines, and other international periodicals from around the world.

Private Collections: This section houses rare and out-of-print books and other archival materials from around the world, with a particular focus on items from the first half of the 20th century. Access to this section requires advanced permission due to the fragility of many items.

Information Centre: This section provides access to a wealth of information resources, including six million dissertations, 73,000 musical scores, databases, online journals, and government publications.

Auto Book Store: This standout feature of the MBR library houses a massive collection of over 400,000 titles that go beyond the main shelves. Members can use the library’s app to request a book, triggering a team of robots to spring into action. These robots search, sort, and retrieve the requested title in a flash. They then deliver it to a human operator who puts it on a mini roller coaster for a fun ride straight to the waiting reader!

Treasures of the Library: On the seventh floor, the Treasures of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library houses rare manuscripts and first editions. Here, centuries of philosophical thought and diverse cultures are brought together in an exhibition space – from ancient religious texts to groundbreaking medical discoveries. Explore stunning atlases and heartfelt poems, each withholding tales of the human experience.

This community center presents a unique counterpoint to Dubai’s commercial attractions. With 200 annual and intellectual events and performances planned year-round, it champions literary engagement and in-depth cultural experiences.

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