Dubai Culture & Arts Authority assumes ownership of all Dubai Public Libraries

Formerly under Dubai Municipality, all the eight Dubai public libraries will now be managed by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority has assumed the management of the Emirate’s eight public libraries from Dubai Municipality. The transfer of ownership and new management highlight the ongoing commitment and mandate of the Authority to nurture institutions which facilitate cultural and literary activities, furthering Dubai’s position as a vibrant Arabian global city for culture and the arts in the 21st century.

Dubai’s eight libraries have played a significant role in the development of a rich literary infrastructure, providing important community spaces that offer opportunities for cross-cultural communication. Following the integration under the aegis of the Authority, library services for the members and public will be improved with the introduction of new initiatives and activities designed to meet the demands of Dubai’s dynamic and diverse community. With the transition, the Dubai Public Library will have a renewed outlook and new brand identity.

“There are natural synergies between the activities offered at Dubai’s public libraries and the mission of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and this transition will enable the Emirate’s libraries to be more responsive to the evolving needs of Dubai’s residents. The libraries will offer renewed services with emphasis on a new and improved offering and functioning,” said Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Projects Officer at the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

“We look forward to working alongside the libraries to implement the transformation smoothly and effectively for the benefit of the public. The Authority acknowledges Dubai Municipality’s successful management of Dubai Public Library over the past 40 years, overseeing an impressive expansion of facilities, and the quality and range of services provided,” added Al Nabouda.

The Dubai Public Library is regarded as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural fabric. It has facilitated the collection of, and public access to, Dubai’s literary heritage and collections, developing audiences by fostering an understanding and appreciation of literary culture, and encouraging access to these resources through efficient services and state-of-the-art technology.

The transition will involve a thorough review of the Dubai Public Library and a new approach aimed to enhance existing and new collections. This will involve providing dedicated resources to acquire new selections for children’s books and classic Arabic novels, as well as adding to the available electronic collections.

“With the transition, the Dubai Public Library will be aligned with the vision and mission of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. We are proud to be part of the Authority’s ongoing commitment in supporting and nurturing the cultural and literary institutions in Dubai,” said Mohammed Al Eraidi, Director of the Dubai Public Library. “Each of the city’s libraries will continue current operations, and members and residents of Dubai can expect future changes that improve services and provide new opportunities to engage further with the literary culture in Dubai.”

Library membership is open to all residents of Dubai, catering specifically to the needs of professionals, students, families and businesses through a range of tailored services. These services range from book lending, access to online resources, and programmed activities, including adult education programmes, language programmes and even specialized training facilities for the Accredited International Computer Drivers License programme (ICDL).

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority will continue to build on the leading role of Dubai’s public libraries within the community, with a focus on fostering education and promoting inter-cultural community engagement.

About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority:
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Culture plays a critical part in achieving the vision of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 of establishing the city as vibrant, global Arabian metropolis that shapes culture and arts in the region and the world. The organisation has announced several initiatives that strengthen the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai. These include:
Muhammad the Messenger Museum: The first project of its kind in the world to focus on and highlight the life and message of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him).
Bastakiya Art Fair: An annual art and culture event takes place in the houses of Al Bastakiya, one of the historic areas of Dubai.
Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre: An annual festival that celebrates and fosters the art of theatre in the UAE.
Dubai Next: To encourage and sponsor initiatives that contribute actively to the development of the cultural events and activities in Dubai. Recently, Dubai Culture showcased Dubai’s aspirations in culture to an international audience at one of the world’s most prestigious platforms, the Art Basel 39 art fair.
Gulf Film Festival: Dubai Culture recognises that a healthy film industry is necessary to take stories about Dubai’s culture, traditions, history and contemporary lifestyle to the world.
Khor Dubai: A living museum that celebrates the multicultural diversity of Dubai.
The Holy Lands: A collaboration with the unique and creatively rich Reiss Engelhorn Museen of Mannheim to bring an exclusive collection of never before exhibited rare photographs to the region and more specifically Dubai.

For more information, please contact:
Nivine William / Sara Hamam
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
T: +9714 334 4550
n.william@asdaa.com, s.hamam@asdaa.com