Visitors to Qatar National Library in July will learn more about the animal world and the future of all living species on our planet. The Library will present an engaging program that will offer a better understanding of animals, whether they are our beloved pets or the majestic Arabian horses that are an important part of Qatari life. The occasion of World Population Day this month is also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of living together in harmony to protect our planet’s delicate ecosystem.
Historical photos of Qatar are at the center of a special art class on 6 July titled “Draw a Photo from Qatar’s History.” Librarian Maryam Al-Mutawa will introduce the Qatar Photographic Collection at the Heritage Library, including many photos featuring the native animals that feature in life and pastimes in Qatar, such as falcons. Under the instruction and guidance of Qatari artist Fahad Almaadheed, participants will be able to show off their artistic skills by drawing one of these photos. The event is suitable for adults with basic drawing skills.
A lecture titled “The History of Horses in Qatar” on 24 July will take the audience on an informative journey that will reveal the history and types of Arabian horses, a breed that has had a vibrant role in Qatari life for countless generations. The talk will discuss how the Arabian horses are taken care of, and will be followed by a trip into Al Shaqab for an up-close look at the magnificence of these proud animals.
With summer holidays beginning in July, the Library has a full program of fun activities to keep the community’s younger minds occupied.
On 3 July, the Children’s Library will present the adventurous voyage and mission of one of the earliest prophets of Allah in “Prophets of God: Yunis and the Whale.” The event will be held in Arabic for children aged 8 to 12.
“How to Read to Your Child: Animals” on 4 July is open to young ones aged 3 to 5 and their parents. Librarians at the Children’s Library will read selected educational stories about animals, and children and their parents can sing along and unleash their creativity by inventing entertaining games. The event will also include a discussion on early literacy and the importance of reading in the development of children’s brains.
“As families and children start their long summer holidays, we encourage them to visit the Library and take part in the host of fun, creative events taking place throughout the month. The events offer an opportunity for curious minds to learn something new about our fascinating world, network with other members of the community, and of course, escape the summer heat,” said Maha Al-Naimi, Information Services Librarian at the Library. “People of all ages and interests are very welcome at any of the Library’s events, and we have tried to meet as diverse and broad a range of interests as possible, with a focus on animals, art, and history and, through our informative lectures, to stimulate awareness on a range of interesting topics.”
Children aged 9 to 11 can learn different canvas painting techniques, such as dot painting and making silhouette shapes from nature, as they create art featuring their favorite animals, birds or bugs in “Animal Canvas Painting” on 17 July.
Every Monday starting 8 July is “Storytime at the Children’s Library,” with engaging storytelling about popular and well-known animal friends. Readings are in Arabic and suitable for children ages 6 to 11.
The Library will also present a variety of other activities and themed events for members of the community to engage in throughout the month.
A useful orientation session on Bookshare, an online database for people with print disabilities, will be presented every Saturday in July. The session will guide participants on how to register to use Bookshare’s resources, which include audiobooks, read-along books, DAISY talking books, and braille and large-font books. Readers can customize their experience with ebooks in formats that work according to their individual needs. The event will help readers find resources on Bookshare and register for membership.
A training session on 6 July, “How to Edit Wikipedia,” will present the main rules and principles of Wikipedia and show aspiring editors how they can create high-quality pages on the multilingual online encyclopedia.
The Library will mark World Population Day on 11 July, established by the United Nations as an international day to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. The Library will collaborate with Qatar’s Permanent Population Committee to host this event, which will address issues related to population, such as healthcare, education and human rights.
Climate change and its effects will be considered at “David Attenborough’s Our Planet Watch Party” on 25 July. In partnership with Arab Youth Climate Movement (AYCM) Qatar and Global Shapers, the Library will screen an episode of Sir David Attenborough’s eight-part original documentary series, Our Planet, with its powerful message of how climate change is affecting all living creatures.
“Our Children Matter: Their Safety is Our Responsibility” on 20 July puts the focus on practical safety tips. “Our Children Matter” is a series of training and discussion sessions presented by a group of experts to discuss important topics in the areas of childhood, education and children’s health. In this session, Sidra Medicine’s Life Support Training team, led by Nadim Osseily, will focus on steps to prevent drowning and suffocation, and offer a practical exercise on a ventilator.
The monthly meeting of the Readers and Opinions Arabic Book Club on 25 July will discuss the murder mystery Spider’s Web, by Agatha Christie. Copies of the book are available at the User Services Desk.
