Abu Dhabi has always championed the importance of reading through campaigns that promote the written word, as well as supporting aspiring homegrown authors.
The huge success of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is one proof of that.
Likewise, the government has established (and continues to do so) libraries across the city for the public to access.
So the next time you’re looking for a place to do some reading or scouting for materials to help with research, these are some of the libraries you might want to check out…
Located on the ground floor of Mayzad Mall in Mohammed bin Zayed City, this library is home to more than 30,000 books.
A huge amount from that number is children’s books. Added amenities include wi-fi, computers and book checking system.
Sun-Wed 9am-9pm, Thu-Sat 4pm-8pm, Fri closed. Visit: mayzadmall.com
A huge collection of books covering topics from politics, religions and specialised subjects can be found at this low-key library tucked along Ghweifat International Highway on Al Mirfa.
Academics and researchers will have a field day going through the shelves for reading materials.
Children, meanwhile, will enjoy the children’s book collection and the activity room ideal for film screenings and storytelling events.
Sun-Thu 8am-8pm, Sat 4pm-8pm. Fri closed. Contact: 02 657 6014
Carrying 25,000 books of mostly children’s and young adult titles, this comfy library located inside Al Bahia Park in Shahama is great for youngsters of all ages.
The library often hosts community programmes, school visits and reading sessions. Visit the main hall to access e-books and audio-visual materials. Sun-Thu 8am-4pm, Sat 4pm-8pm. Contact: 02 657 6074
Al Wathba Library
Kids and adults will love the roomy and bright atmosphere of this great library in Al Wathba Park.
Visitors can access 35,000 titles of English and Arabic books. The library is designed with reading corners and children’s area.
Sun-Thu 8am-4pm. Contact: 02 697 6425
Found inside Khalifa Park is this library carrying more than 50,000 titles ranging from children’s books to scientific journals and periodicals, including rare titles.
Sun-Thu 8am-4pm, Sat 4pm-8pm. Contact: 056 522 9267
Holding court inside the majestic Presidential Palace in Al Ras Al Akhdar is this library that houses an enormous number of books containing topics on arts, history, geography, science, economics and politics, particularly that of the UAE.
From biographies to memoirs to archaeology to statistics, literature, social sciences and more – this venue is heaven for bibliophiles with diverse interests. Can’t find something in book form? Check out the e-books and audio-visual materials to see if it’s available in those formats. Daily 10am-8pm. Contact: 600 544 442
Aside from books’ inherent value, libraries themselves often inspire awe and wonder. This is perhaps best illustrated when it comes to architecture. Some of history’s greatest architects have been commissioned to build libraries, from the Biblioth que Sainte-Genevi ve, Henri Labrouste’s precursor to the modern library, to the Seattle Public Library, a contemporary marvel designed by Rem Koolhaas.
There are 50,000 books in Qasr Al Watan’s Library, covering the UAE’s political, social and cultural history which can be accessed free of charge once registered at the Visitor Centre. As well as books, there are many important resources that have been collected over the past 35 years, including magazines, pamphlets and periodicals bringing the total number of reading titles housed in the Library to 483,937. If you add the Library’s digital collection, there are more than 16 million items that can be accessed online from anywhere in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.