The external view of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Lirary. WAM

The region’s biggest library opened its doors for the visitors at 8:00am on Thursday. Built with an investment of Dhs1 billion, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library aims to cultivate a culture of reading, while supporting the development of creativity, knowledge and art at both individual and social levels.

 It will provide a platform for intellectual, literary and imaginative minds across the region and the world.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had inaugurated the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library on Monday.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

• His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the foundation of Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in 2016.
• The Library’s total cost reached Dhs1 billion.
• The Library is built in the shape of a "Rahl”, the traditional wooden book rest, mostly used to hold the Holy Quran.

Sheikh Mohammed tours the library. WAM

• The Library’s total built area is 581,903 sqft. (over 54,000 sqm.)
• Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is launched as part of the Spreading Education & Knowledge section within Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.
• The Library building has an ultimate capacity of 1,000 visitors simultaneously.

Knowledge Content

• Over 1.1 million printed and digital books in Arabic and foreign languages.
• Over 6 million dissertations.
• About 73,000 musical scores.
• 75,000 videos.
• About 13,000 articles.
• About 500 rare acquisitions.
• Over 5,000 printed and digital historical periodicals, archiving 325 years of history.
• About 35,000 printed and digital journals from all over the world.

A Library of Libraries

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library comprises 9 libraries, plus The Information Centre:

1. The General Library

2. The Emirates Library

3. The Young Adults Library

4. The Children’s Library

5. Private Collections Library

6. The Maps and Atlases Library

7. The Media and Arts Library

8. The Business Library

9. The Periodical Library

Sheikh Mohammed and other dignitaries are being briefed about the library. WAM

Treasures of The Library

The Treasures of The Library exhibition displays a fascinating collection of rare and old books, atlases, manuscripts, and documents, some of them dating back to the 13th century. The collection includes unique copies of the Holy Quran, early print editions of literary classics, Latin translations of scholarly works from the Islamic Golden Age, as well as rare Arabic periodicals from the Arab world and beyond.

Among the rare exhibited items are the first edition of Blaeu's Atlas Maior, and a first edition of Napoleon's Description de l'Égypte, an 18^th century encyclopedic register of Egyptian history and archaeology.

The Languages Garden

As part of the Library’s outdoor facilities, the Languages Garden celebrates the wisdom of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, across 60 pillars that display dozens of his quotes on leadership, government, nation building, learning, and knowledge, translated into various languages.

Services for People of Determination

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is one of the best equipped libraries for people of determination in terms of services and features. The Library empowers the visually impaired with a Braille service, as part of the library's strategy to integrate all creative individuals into society.

Sheikh Mohammed inspects an exhibit at the library. WAM

In addition, The Library has a dedicated area providing a comforting and quiet space for people of determination and autistic individuals.

Integrated Innovations

Mohammed bin Rashid Library uses the latest artificial intelligence and library technologies available worldwide, including an automated warehouse, an electronic retrieval system, self-service booths, a book digitisation lab, smart robots to answer visitors' inquiries, along with implementing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and other advanced technologies.

Eco-Friendly

• The building was designed to increase periods of self-shading as much as possible to help reduce thermal retention from the sun’s rays.
• The Library acquires 10% of its energy needs from solar panels installed on the roof of the building.
• The exterior was designed to insulate the interior, reduce heat retention, and help regulate the building’s interior environment.
• The Library receives natural lighting thanks to the building’s roof windows
• The Library was designed to reduce garden irrigation consumption by 50%, as well as reuse water gathered from air conditioning units to water green areas.
• The Library is located at a central location within the city, which allows easy access through public transportation or by foot, thus reducing its environmental footprint caused by energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.