A document was approved on the creation of the largest library in the Arab world, which will be located in Dubai and will collect 42 million visitors a year.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai, passed Law No. 14 of 2016 on the establishment of the Muhammad bin Rashid Library in Dubai, as well as Directive No. 36 of 2016 on the formation of the board of directors for the Fund of the new Library.
The library aims to become the largest in the Arab world. Its cost is estimated at 1 billion dirhams ($ 272.2 million). It will feature over 1.5 million book volumes, 1 million audio books and 2 million e-books. The library named after Mohammed bin Rashid will occupy more than one million square meters. ft and will include eight specialized units. The largest knowledge base is preparing to accommodate up to 42 million visitors annually. The library will organize over 100 cultural events throughout the year.
“We want this library to serve as a cultural forum, an incubator of knowledge and a center of civilization in the region,” said Sheikh Mohammed, adding that this initiative will help popularize reading and promote national development.
The Council, chaired by Muhammad Ahmed Al Moore, is entrusted with the formation of a common policy and strategic plans to achieve the objectives of the library. The fund will operate on the basis of the library and contribute to the development of the organization at the local, regional and global levels. Members of the Council are approved for a period of three years subject to renewal.
