Dubai has unveiled one of the world’s most stunning new libraries
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Dubai is globally recognized as a dazzling hub of wealth and opulence, known for its soaring skyscrapers, luxurious hotels, and sparkling shopping malls.
Yet one of its most captivating new attractions – the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, which opened in June – offers a serene refuge for reflection. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in a book, plug in their laptops for work or study, or admire rare manuscripts and first-edition books on display in the exhibition space on the seventh floor. Admission is free for all, both locals and tourists, though tickets must be reserved in advance.
Situated along Dubai Creek in Al Jaddaf, near the traditional shipyards where craftsmen have built wooden dhows for generations, the striking design of the library resembles an open book but is actually inspired by the rehl, a bookrest used for holding the Holy Quran. The library houses nine distinct collections, including media, arts, business, international periodicals, maps and atlases, children’s books, and a curated selection of rare archival materials.
The library’s collection is still expanding, but it already offers impressive resources. In addition to a vast array of multilingual print and digital books, it provides access to over six million dissertations, 73,000 musical scores, 75,000 videos, 35,000 international journals (both printed and digital), and more than 5,000 historical periodicals dating back 325 years.
And if you need a break from all the knowledge, there’s a cafe to unwind in as well.
Books, not bling.
Book lovers can happily lose themselves for hours browsing through shelves and flipping through magazines. But with so many iconic attractions in the city, can Dubai’s residents be convinced to embrace this cultural gem? Jamal Al Shehhi, an Emirati author, publisher, and member of the library’s board, certainly believes so.
“Many people enjoy shopping malls, but there’s also a strong love for books,” he says. “Dubai is known as a global hub for business, trade, and tourism, but now this iconic building sends the message that Dubai has a rich cultural scene, and there’s no better way to convey that than through books.”
During a visit on a Thursday morning, the library isn’t overflowing with visitors, but it’s far from deserted. People are taking selfies in front of the vast, photogenic book-lined walls in the brightly lit lobby. Others are exploring the spaces, with many heading straight for their favorite sections. Staff are preparing for an upcoming event, one of many public offerings designed to entice those who might not be traditional library-goers. While the library is far from just a quiet haven for bookworms, there are also plenty of people tucked away in cozy armchairs, lost in the pages they’ve chosen to explore.
Robotic storytellers
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On the ground floor, the Children’s Library, designed for kids aged 5 to 11, is already a big hit. During my visit, a group of giggling boys sits in front of Pepper, a humanoid robot who playfully greets them with, “We are officially friends!” before asking, “How big is a coronavirus?”
With its manga-inspired eyes and cheerful voice, Pepper captivates as a storyteller. And this is just one of many attractions in the Children’s Library, which also features slides, climbing nets, and tents – all designed to show children that reading can be just as exciting as playing.
It’s the physical books that seem to captivate most of the children. This library alone boasts around 17,000 titles. From a little girl curled up in a cozy circular reading nook, absorbed in her book, to a boy sitting with his mother, tracing words with his finger on pages made of real paper, it’s an inspiring sight. Even more so when you notice that the iPads on the shelf – intended for those who might prefer a digital book – remain completely untouched.
A thrill ride for books
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library blends tradition with technology. Alongside its vast collection of printed books, it offers a digital database of thousands of titles that can be downloaded from machines located in each of the library's nine sections. There are also braille books for visually impaired readers, and a quiet space with reading pods designed for visitors with special needs.
Where technology truly shines is in the Auto Book Store, an underground storage area housing 400,000 books not found on the library’s shelves.
Members can request a book via the library’s app (or at the information counters), which sends the request to the Auto Book Store. There, a team of small, speedy red robots searches for, sorts, and delivers the requested crate of books to a human operator.
A light shines on the requested book inside the crate, which is then pulled out, scanned, and sent on a mini roller coaster ride, zipping along rails from the basement to the ground floor, where the eagerly awaiting reader can collect it.
A diverse collection of literary gems
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The library’s book collection is truly eclectic. Whether you're interested in the architecture of Yorkshire’s West Riding, learning how to fold Star Wars characters in origami, or reading about “35 Glorious Years of Dubai Islamic Banking,” you’ll find it here. There’s even a whole library section devoted to the UAE, featuring a first edition of the first novel by Emirati author Rashid Al Naimi, along with nearly everything ever published in the country.
On the seventh floor, the Treasures of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library exhibit houses the most valuable rarities. Al Shehhi likens it to Dubai itself, highlighting the way it blends diverse cultures. More akin to a museum than a traditional library, this collection includes rare manuscripts, calligraphy tools, and first editions of iconic literary works, some dating back to the 13th century. One of the highlights in the cartography section is a 1662 map of the Arabian Peninsula by Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu, which is one of the earliest to depict geographical features like mountains, oases, trees, and pearl banks.
The collection also features some surprising items. For example, the detailed drawings of Egyptian antiquities by Giovanni Battista Belzoni are fascinating, but his unconventional career—starting as a member of a religious order, then becoming a circus strongman, and eventually an archaeologist—is just as intriguing.
Among the treasures is a first edition of Oscar Wilde’s play “The Importance of Being Earnest,” as well as a prototype of Chairman Mao’s “Little Red Book.” Perhaps most relevant in today’s world is Edward Jenner’s work, “An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae” (cowpox), which laid the groundwork for the modern concept of vaccines and is the source of the term we use today.
As the library’s collection continues to grow, even more fascinating works will become available for exploration. With 200 events and performances planned each year, the center strives to establish itself as a vibrant community hub. It’s hoped that this will encourage visitors to step away from Dubai’s malls for a while and indulge in some intellectual nourishment.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Al Jaddaf, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Evaluation :
5/5