Qatar National Library (QNL), which recently opened to the public in Qatar Foundation’s (QF’s) Education City, will participate in the 28th Doha International Book Fair from November 29 – December 5 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
QNL’s booth at the book fair will feature a number of services for visitors, including Access Services Stations to register users with Qatari IDs on the spot. QNL members can benefit from the library’s diversified online databases, accessible anywhere in the world, and can use the library’s various information resources and services at its new building, including automatically checking out printed books.
Visitors to the QNL booth can also sample a number of resources available to QNL members, including Overdrive, which allows users to borrow books via their mobile phones; a 3D printing machine; and a green screen for taking photos with Qatar-themed backgrounds. QNL staff will be on-hand to provide orientation on QNL’s catalogue and database.
“Qatar National Library’s mission is to promote a culture of learning and creativity, and the Doha International Book Fair has long been a key driver of those goals in Qatar. We look forward to welcoming Qatar’s readers to our booth at the book fair, as well as to our new building,” said Dr. Sohair F. Wastawy, Executive Director, QNL.
Families can enjoy creative storytelling sessions at QNL’s booth, and the space will include a sample of the 100,000 plus books and educational resources available at QNL’s Children’s Library.
The booth will also feature items from QNL’s Heritage Library, which includes many rare and valuable books, manuscripts, maps, and other artifacts on Arabic and Islamic history and culture. Visitors can view a demonstration of QNL’s preservation, conservation, and digitization processes, which are helping to protect the Heritage Library’s items for future generations.
“Qatar National Library is a community space with something for everyone. Our booth at the Doha International Book Fair will give visitors a glimpse of what we have to offer and contribute to the ongoing educational focus of Qatar,” Dr. Wastawy added.
QNL’s new building, designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, opened to the public on November 7 and has already welcomed thousands of visitors.
