ABU DHABI, 30th October, 2018 (WAM) – The “Library”, affiliated with the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, launched the “24/7 Library” service, under which public libraries in the emirate will open their doors to visitors seeking knowledge around the clock, including during weekends and official holidays.
Academics, students and knowledge seekers aged 18 years and above can visit any of the five public libraries spread across Abu Dhabi at any time, day or night, to benefit from loan and return services using the self-lending machine, study spaces and retreats in the libraries, and use computers. Automated, Internet connection service provided by libraries to all its visitors.
The launch of the new service comes within the framework of the department’s ongoing efforts to empower the national cultural system and establish a cultural model to be emulated in terms of the ability to acquire various knowledge and sciences, by making scientific, literary and cognitive books and references available to all segments of society at all times.
Sheikha Al Muhairi, Director of the Libraries Department at the Department of Culture and Tourism, said that the launch of this new initiative came in response to the need of readers and researchers to use libraries outside official working hours, as beneficiaries who work during the day can now visit libraries at any time and benefit from the quiet environment and services provided by them. Provides them to pursue their scientific or literary research, and enhance their passion for reading and knowledge.
She added: “Libraries are considered one of the most important landmarks that indicate the level of civilizational and cultural progress among the peoples of the world, and making public library services available in Abu Dhabi around the clock represents an essential step in our efforts to consolidate the emirate’s competitive position as a global beacon of culture and knowledge. We have been keen to provide This service is for all segments of society without the need for a “library” membership, and we will continue to work on developing the services provided by public libraries in the emirate in a way that achieves the satisfaction of its users and meets their aspirations.”
“Maktaba” revealed a guide for self-use of public library facilities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi regarding the “24/7 Library” service, whereby those wishing to benefit from this service must issue a special access card at the main service office during official working hours from Monday to Thursday (8 am). – 8 pm), and Friday (7:30 am – 12 pm), so that the beneficiary can enter the library after official working hours, provided that he is 18 years of age or older, and that the access card is used for the bearer only, and that children are not accompanied after official working hours. (8 pm – 8 am).
The self-use guide calls on beneficiaries of the new service to adhere to the rules and behaviors of public libraries in terms of preserving public property, remaining calm in the library, and refraining from eating, drinking, and photographing libraries and their visitors.
It is noteworthy that the number of visitors to public libraries in Abu Dhabi during the first nine months of 2023 reached 126,263 visitors, distributed among the public libraries in the emirate, which are Khalifa Park Library, Al Bahia Library, Al Wathba Library, Al Mirfa Library, and Zayed Central Library
