Public libraries you never knew existed in Dubai 

With the arrival of the strong summer heat and the beginning of a new season of work and studying, Public libraries in Dubai should be your go-to favorite spots to escape that radiating summer heat. The public library near you can be a catalyst for your child’s freedom and creativity to flow while still being protected from the harsh sun rays. It can also be a place to go to and get your work done while still feeling relaxed that your children are right in front of you and in safe hands, and perhaps the environment can encourage your own little ones to explore the world of reading. If you are on the hunt for a quiet area far from the hustle and bustle of this magnificent city, an escape from needless chatter and distractions, then continue reading to find out what your new favorite hiding spots might be….*hint *hint, it’s a public library.

Dubai Public libraries that will fuel your creativity – YouthxHub

For the youth seeking a place to let their creativity run wild!

Established in 2017, YouthxHub is not your average Dubai library, it’s a modern government initiative that aims to encourage young minds to reach for the sky with no limits, and communicate with each other during the process. It acknowledges that minds working together are more powerful and so it was made to encourage communication of youth in order to shape them for a connected future filled with great minds and inspired ideas. YouthxHub’s modern approach and take on Dubai public libraries was designed to target the demographic from ages 15-35 and combine them on mutual grounds with one goal in mind, to tackle a topic all parties are passionate about and build on it. The atmosphere in Youthxhub is designed to satisfy the mind that begs to be inspired. It’s a perfect spot for a local youth hangout, or perhaps just for those who want a quiet study place. There is a public library section where an individual is engulfed by a large variety of books. There are several meeting rooms to accommodate those that desire to meet together and study, away from the outside world. Amazingly enough, Youthxhub has made its support for local business known. Around every 6 months they have an initiative where they host local business in the hub without subjecting them to rental fees. All in all, Youthxhub inspires a person to dig deep and embrace the creative mindset. Youthxhub thrives on being a modern and youthful approach to the concept of a public library (very in line with the UAE’s vision).

Youthxhub Location, Opening hours and Contact:

• Location: Emirates Tower, ground floor
• GPS Location of YouthxHub
• Timing: Open from: 8AM-10PM on all working days
• Contact them via their email:  hub.info@youth.gov.ae

The Best Public Libraries to Introduce your Children to Reading – Dubai Public Library Al Mankhool

Plant the seed young and watch them nurture it for a lifetime!

In the city of life, we’ve come to know as Dubai, there lies a landmark at the very center, that landmark is an unassuming library that just might change the course of your child’s life. Dubbed the Dubai public library Al Mankhool, their aim is to develop a child’s inner creativity and build their mindset as well as expand their knowledge and discover their talents. The interior of the place strategically plays on that being a very cheery and colorful place that is guaranteed to inspire your child’s motivation. In addition to the interior, the public library has a large collection of books with different varieties of subjects that are suitable for children of all ages (more than enough for your younglings!).

Childhood is the most important phase to develop the children’s personality and self-esteem,  therefore, in Al Mankhool public library in the kid’s section, they have provided a reading room, activity room, and activity area. In addition, the books in the public library are to target the children to strengthen their mindset and to expand their knowledge in creative ways of thinking. Services that are provided in Al Mankhool public library for children are:

1. workshops for the kids to express themselves and get inspired.
2. Movie time for children to watch historical, educational, and cultural movies to earn more knowledge.
3. Special services for disabled children so they wouldn’t feel left out and different from the other children.

We can assure you that your child will truly find excitement here and will thoroughly enjoy their time at Al Mankhool Public Library.

What differentiates Al Mankhool public library Dubai from other public libraries in Dubai is that they play an important role in the children’s section, as well as if you wanted a book and couldn’t find it in any other public library, they can provide it on the same day!

Al Mankhool public library Location, Opening hours and Contact number:

• Location: 35 A St – Al Mankhool , parking is accessible for all including the disability parking. 
• Timing: 10:00am – 8:00pm. Except on Friday, the public library is closed.
• Contact number: 04-5155200

Catch-up on work at this calming public library – Al Safa Art & Design Public Library 

THE go-to hangout for the inner Art Enthusiast to let loose!

True to its name, Al Safa Art and Design Public Library is a one of a kind piece of architecture that truly speaks to the artistic individuals. It is built in a way where it is relaxing to look at and yet interesting enough to stare at for long periods of time. It’s extremely spacious with white interior and huge glass windows to allow as much sunlight in the place as possible. You can stand anywhere in the public library and still feel like you’re in an open field in Denmark. The modernity of the architecture gives a fresh aura of sophistication and character with just the right artistic touches. Due to its unique architecture, photographers have taken quite a liking to commencing their photoshoots here.

Now down to the actual purpose of Al Safa Art and Design Public Library, it in itself targets the creative individuals that want a hangout catering to them, a place for them to study and work. In most cases  public libraries are ideal for people who don’t have a quiet space at home to catch up on their work or studies. 95% of the books in this public library are about art and design e.g architect and interior design books, books about what’s new in art etc. Another factor that makes this public library different is how they have Apple computers for people to use for free. Apple iMac’s are extremely user friendly for art and design related work because of its high resolution and smooth usability factor making it one of the best known computers for art related work. Al Safa Art and Design Public Library includes printers which you could use but you pay for each paper you want to print. Colourful A4 page’s cost 2 Dhs each whereas if they’re black and white they cost 1 DH each.

To borrow books at the public library you would need an Al Safa Art and Design Public Library membership. The application for all public library memberships in Dubai is done online, so make sure you get that public library membership prior to getting there!

Al Safa Art and Design public library location, opening hours and contact number:

• Location: Al wasl Road, Jumeirah 3
• Timing: The public library is open from 10am to 5pm on all days except Friday.
• Contact number: 04 515 5241

Cafe library fusions in Dubai – Kuttab Cafe

The perfect little secret hiding spot for the avid reader and writer!

In the heart of up-town Mirdiff lies a hidden gem dubbed Kuttab cafe. A guaranteed new secret spot that you will be absolutely taken by. Kuttab which we consider to be the library cafe, has an amazing way of satisfying one’s need for a perfect cosy, quiet spot that in turn gives you this sense of freedom, this feeling that you can do whatever you want and it will be you and Kuttab’s little library cafe secret.

Now, It’s important to know that  Kuttab is not your run of the mill traditional cafe public library, it’s way more than that; it’s a space where you can discover yourself and get lost in your own thoughts in the process. It’s a place where you can reconnect with yourself. It is a fusion of a library and cafe. It’s a library cafe! The vibrancy of the blue walls that are balanced by the toned-down sharp wooden shelving that are stacked with books is a wonderful juxtaposition. Kuttab, the library cafe, is filled to the brim with books mainly novels translated to Arabic. Additionally, it also has books self published by Kuttab themselves. Yes, you heard right, not being your regular old public library, Kuttab has its own publishing services and a part of their concept is having a designated space for authors to hold signing sessions with their readers which we’ve heard is a big hit and allows their consumers to build a community with each other. Not only does Kuttab provide you with a variety of Arabic books that are self-published by them, in the heart of the library lies the library cafe that will fuel your will to work or finish your book. As soon as you enter Kuttab you are hit by the overwhelming and energizing smell of freshly brewed coffee and if you listen you can hear the ding of the cash register as well, the repeated cycle of serving coffee to the adamant visitors of this conventional public library has been a routine to their employees.

People have found a safe place in Kuttab, to many it’s  a library cafe where they can express themselves. On one of our visits we witnessed a group of individuals working on their podcast and interviewing authors that have published books within the blue box, they were sat in the centre of the three sections of the library where natural lighting hits best. Each spot within the two sections available for sitting is perfect for all individuals as their statement armchairs are perfect for lounging and enjoying your book.

Step by step this cozy secret spot redefines what it means to be a public library by being a library cafe.

Can you study in the library cafe Kuttab?

The answer is yes, other than being a library cafe where book enthusiasts meet-up on regular bases the sitting area is filled with students catching up on their studies, noted that pre-covid library cafe Kuttab was filled with students coming together and learning in a safe area, to meet up and have study groups together. You might be thinking that if there is an event wouldn’t the space be noisy well the answer to that is no! This is because there is a wide space between the lounge area and the signing hall, which is separated from the sitting area of the library cafe which sells great cappuccinos!

Cafe library Kuttab Location, opening hours and contact number:

Cafe library Kuttab Location, opening hours and contact number:

• Located in:  Uptown Mirdif
• Timing: 7am-12am
• Contact number: 04 288 5858

Old meets new: How the oldest and newest Dubai public libraries compare 

Dubai’s first Public library – Al Ras Public Library

Dubai’s first Public library – Al Ras Public Library

Get inspired in old generations days!

In the heart of old Dubai surrounded by the Gold Souk and al Shindagha rests the first and oldest Dubai public library; opening its doors in 1963 and closing it in 2019. Being the go-to area for people seeking knowledge, over the years the oldest public library in Dubai had lost its touch yet set an example for all current public libraries. But nonetheless, people had grown fond of its unique and simple design. Individuals who graduated in the early 90’s have mentioned that they felt a connection to the public library as they used to spend hours looking through the shelves to be able to find the one book they were looking for, mentioning that the new generation has it best as everything is computerized and easy to access rather than roaming the shelves like a headless chicken. Although the Al Ras Public Library wasn’t as advanced it flowed with literature from all around the world men and women who were studying to get their degree would find the information they were looking for in one of the books sitting on the shelf; it was guaranteed. Unfortunately, the temporary closure of the Al Ras Public Library might have hit a few with a shock but time demands change and the Al Ras Public Library is the main reason why Dubai flourishes with the diversity of public libraries in 2020.

Al Ras public library location, opening hours and contact number:

• Location: Deira, Al ras – Dubai
• Timing: the public library is currently closed, let’s hope it’ll open again soon!
• Contact number: Since their closure, the public library has taken their number down.

New Library in Dubai- Mohammad Bin Rashid Public Library

Your inspiration starts once you walk in here!

Announced during 2016, the year of Reading, Mohammed Bin Rashid Public Library is a breathtaking piece of modern architecture that is located in Al Jaddaf, Dubai. It’s a book shaped library!. Did you know that it is also the biggest Public library in Dubai? And the largest public library in the middle east? Consisting of 7 floors and each floor having its own unique theme. On top of that, all resources are regularly updated. The public library itself hosts events too, the possibilities are endless. It is suitable for all walks of life including people of all ages, family roles, and occupations. You will be taken aback by the atmosphere presented upon entering the public library, and we can guarantee that you will immediately be encouraged to devour one of the many pieces of literature that are offered. On top of that, the public library has an inspiring environment to work in, just the right places to get all your productivity juices flowing.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Public library offers a variety of services such as lending privileges for books (you will require a MBRSG ID card to get permission to do so) the boring duration is for 2 weeks.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Public Library, location, opening hours, and contact number:

• Location: The public library is in Al Jaddaf, Dubai, opposite of Dubai Festival city
• Timing: Open from 8:00am – 8:00pm
• Contact number: 04 222 2025