QNL offers learning hub for book lovers at DIBF

QATAR National Library (QNL) has welcomed thousands of book lovers keen to expand their literary knowledge at an interactive space in the heart of this year’s Doha International Book Fair (DIBF).

A team of librarians and staff is engaging avid readers, authors, publishers, retailers and educators at the Central Plaza of DIBF and helping them discover more about the library’s wealth of resources.

Several dignitaries have visited to experience the library’s offerings since DIBF opened on January 9, including HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al Thani, vice-chairperson and chief executive officer of Qatar Foundation; HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al Mahmoud, speaker of the Shura Council; and HE Jassim bin Saif al Sulaiti, minister of

Transport and Communications.

Students from Qatari schools have joined visitors of all ages and interests to register for free library membership and learn how the library’s vast resources can help them reach their personal learning goals. The library’s family-friendly educational programme has proved deeply enriching and entertaining to children and their parents alike.

“As a family, every year, we look forward to visiting DBIF to be part of the different activities, read the latest books and meet new people,” said Mahmoud Ali, who visited the library’s space along with his two children. “My children particularly enjoy taking part in the storytelling programmes that are being offered at DBIF and at the library throughout the year.”

For readers with a special interest in history and heritage, the library’s librarians are on hand to share more about the selection of Heritage Library manuscripts that are on display. Visitors are also able to see the step-by-step process to digitise historical manuscripts using specialised equipment brought to DIBF from the library’s Digitisation Center.

Hashim Aalem, another visitor at DBIF, was fascinated by the digitisation demonstration.

“I have heard about the digitisation of rare books, but seeing it live has given me a clearer perspective of the valuable work that the library is doing to make digital copies of historical manuscripts accessible online for anyone to use,” Aalem said.

Visitors have until January 18 to enjoy the activities and books on offer at DIBF 2020. Librarians are welcoming visitors from 9am to 9pm during weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on Friday.