About page Intro

About page Intro
About The Library

We're building a lighthouse of knowledge, culture and creativity.

Discover the story and organization behind largest library in the MENA region.

Asset Publisher

Library Story

Not Just a Building There's more

Built in the shape of a rehl, the traditional wooden book rest used to hold the Quran, our library building overlooks Dubai Creek. Our seven story structure houses Dubai's most ambitious cultural initiative to-date, establishing a lighthouse of knowledge, culture and creativity with an objective to grow a collection by acquiring millions of books from around the world.

Founded by law no. 14 in 2016 during the national Year of Reading , the library is the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Supporting Dubai and UAE goals to develop a knowledge society, the creation of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library follows a number of important initiatives set in motion to promote and encourage reading, literacy and Arabic literature.

Launched in 2014 our library's primary goal is to stimulate a passion for knowledge among all those living in the United Arab Emirates, in particular among young people. We actively support and encourage reading, research, creativity and entrepreneurship by providing free access to an outstanding range of books and other knowledge resources, quality information services and our event calendar.

We play an important and increasing role in the preservation of Arabic literature, culture and heritage. We do this by ensuring public access to Arabic literary works, both modern and rare old texts, helping to encourage and support young Arabic writers and via our Arabic language publishing programme.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is comprised of ten main library collections: The General Library, Young Adult Library, Children's Library, Information Centre, Map and Atlas Library, Media and Arts Library, Business Library, Emirates Library, Periodicals Library and a Special Collections Library. In addition to physical collections, our library provides access to a wide variety of ebooks and other digital media.

Our audio book library is a fantastic resource for everyone and especially useful to the visually impaired or those with reading difficulties. In addition, we are developing a range of Braille books for the blind.

We are continually developing our collections, resources, programme and event calendar to be able to share more books, knowledge and information with the community. To make sure that you get full access to all our resources and regular updates from us, we recommend that you sign-up to our library membership programme today.

Message From Chairman

Message from the Chairman

Welcome to the Mohammed bin Rashid Library!

Founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to nurture the nation's spirit of learning and curiosity, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library marks a significant milestone in Dubai's cultural, societal and economic development.

We live in an age where knowledge is not only the key to national development, it is also fast becoming the primary source of economic growth, as many countries now aspire to build knowledge economies. The ever-growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital networks will only increase the value of knowledge, creativity and ideas. However, it also places enormous pressure on nations to ensure they have the human intelligence to compete and succeed in the 21st Century.

Our mission is to stimulate a passion for knowledge and inspire our younger generation to learn, grow and help shape our future. We will do this by bolstering Dubai's role as a cultural and literary hub, actively encouraging reading, research, creative writing and the publishing of Arabic language works. We also work hard to preserve our heritage and all the wisdom that it holds.

We aim to provide access for all people to outstanding literary resources, via both physical publications and via the latest digital technologies. To this end, we are continually building our ten library collections housed in the building, plus digital collections across multiple formats including ebooks, audio books, multimedia files and streaming media.

I hope that you will enjoy exploring our website and that we will see you soon at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library. You'll find plenty to inspire you and great spaces within the building to help you read, study, research and learn.

 

Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr

Chairman

Mohammed bin Rashid Library

Message From Chairman

Board Members Group Pic

Our mission

Our mission

Our Mission

Our mission is to stimulate a passion for knowledge

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's mission is to stimulate a passion for knowledge, by providing access for all people to outstanding resources and quality services, whilst preserving Arabic culture and heritage. We actively support and encourage reading, research, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Our mission was clearly set by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, when he ordered the construction of the library during the national Year of Reading. As an institution founded with a broad mandate to nurture the spirit of learning, inspire a culture of reading and fuel creativity, the library was born to be dynamic and push boundaries.

We value lifelong learning, innovation, creativity, happiness and knowledge for all. We believe that the modern library should be proactive, rather than passive, taking a message of learning and knowledge out to its community via multiple channels, programmes and services. For this reason, we strive to reach out to all elements of society via our activities and content.

Asset Publisher

Thinking of Joining

Thinking of Joining

Thinking of Joining?

Check out employment and volunteer opportunities at the Library and discover the benefits of working at one of our community’s leading institutions

Asset Publisher

Latest News

Latest News

VIEW ALL NEWS

28 March 2024
In collaboration with Dubai National Theatre, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library successfully concluded a series of "Theatre Workshops" under the theme of "The Art of Theatrical Performance," supervised by artist Maher Salibi. The workshops aimed to develop the skills of talented artists and build their confidence in performing on stage.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Successfully Concludes
26 March 2024
Within the framework of its strategy and vision to exchange experiences globally, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library participated, for the first time, in the International Library and Technology Festival in Turkey. The festival is organised under the slogan “The Key to the Digital Future: Artificial Intelligence Based Smart Libraries”, from 23 to 27 March, with the participation of a group of experts, innovators, and specialists in public libraries.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Showcases its Latest Technologies at International Library and Technology Festival in Turkey
22 March 2024
In collaboration with the Book Club, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library organised a session to discuss the novel “Peace from the Depths of the Earth” by Emirati author Mariam Al Hammadi. Moderated by Walid Al Marzouqi, the event aimed to celebrate Emirati literature during Reading Month.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Discusses the Novel “Peace From the Depths of the Earth”