Opened to the public on June 16, 2022, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library stands as one of the United Arab Emirates’ premier cultural landmarks, where visionary architecture, extraordinary collections, and cutting-edge services merge into a single monumental structure.
Located in the Al Jaddaf district, on the shores of Dubai Creek, the library spans seven floors and covers an area of over 60,000 square meters. Its architectural profile evokes the shape of a lectern with an open book, a clear tribute to the tradition of reading and knowledge.
Historical Background
The idea for the library was announced by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in February 2016, during Dubai’s “Year of Reading.” With a monumental investment of 1 billion dirhams (approximately 272 million dollars), it represents the largest cultural project ever undertaken in the emirate.
An Extraordinary Collection
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library boasts an impressive collection of over 4.5 million volumes, divided into 1.5 million printed books, 2 million digital books, and 1 million audiobooks. The collections are organized into various specialized sections. Among the treasures housed in the library are rare books, ancient manuscripts, cultural artifacts, and works of art of inestimable historical value.
A Living Space for Culture, Research, and Exchange
The library is not only a place for book consultation, but a true multifunctional cultural center. Inside, visitors will find a conference center with a 500-seat theater for conferences, seminars, and cultural events, permanent exhibition spaces including a museum of civilization and a museum of Arab heritage, a bookstore on the ground floor, modern and comfortable reading rooms, educational areas dedicated to learning, a center for the conservation of books, manuscripts, and documents, and the Al Maktoum Collection, a special library dedicated to the royal family.
The library integrates cutting-edge technologies to facilitate scientific research and the dissemination of knowledge, with advanced book and information management systems. Beyond being a place for reading, the library hosts cultural and intellectual events, consolidating its role as a meeting point for the regional and global intellectual community. The permanent art gallery and exhibition spaces offer opportunities to explore contemporary art and Arab cultural heritage.
đź“Ť PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Official Website: www.mbrl.ae
WHERE TO STAY NEAR THE LIBRARY
Plan your stay in Downtown Dubai and explore nearby hotels with Expedia.
This article contains affiliate links to Expedia.com. When you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us keep creating free, valuable content for our readers.
