{{Short description|Library in Dubai, United Arab Emirates}} {{use dmy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox library | name = Mohammed Bin Rashid Library | image = Mohammed Bin Rashid Library.jpg | image_size = | caption = View of the library, looking across Dubai Creek from the InterContinental Dubai Festival City | logo = | location = Al Jaddaf, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | established = {{start date and age|16 June 2022|df=y}} | num_branches = | items_collected = | collection_size = 1.5 million printed books, two million digital books and one million audio books | pop_served = | budget = 1 billion AED | director = | num_employees = | website = [https://www.dm.gov.ae/projects/mohammed-bin-rashid-library/ www.dm.gov.ae] }} The '''Mohammed Bin Rashid Library''' ('''MBRL''') is a large library in the Al Jaddaf locality of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dubai Creek that opened to the public on 16 June 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dm.gov.ae/en/Projects/UnderConstruction/Pages/Mohammed-Bin-Rashid-Library.aspx | title=Mohammed Bin Rashid Library | website=www.dm.gov.ae | publisher=Government of Dubai | location=UAE | access-date=27 October 2019 | archive-date=27 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127164501/https://www.dm.gov.ae/en/Projects/UnderConstruction/Pages/Mohammed-Bin-Rashid-Library.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NationalOpened">{{cite news |last1=Gillett |first1=Katy |title=Mohammed bin Rashid Library opens to the public: Dubai timings, how to get there and more |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/2022/06/16/mohammed-bin-rashid-library-opens-to-the-public-dubai-timings-entrance-fee-and-more/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=The National |date=16 June 2022 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716184953/https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/2022/06/16/mohammed-bin-rashid-library-opens-to-the-public-dubai-timings-entrance-fee-and-more/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Overview== The design of the library is inspired by the shape of a lectern. The main features of this library are a conference centre, exhibition spaces, a children's library, a bookshop on the ground floor, reading halls, service areas, a business library, and training halls. The basement of the library will be able to accommodate around a thousand cars.
The project took more than six years to complete at a cost of AED1 billion.<ref name="NationalOpened" /><ref name="gulfbusiness18">{{cite news | url=https://gulfbusiness.com/mega-dhs1bn-library-project-dubai-now-72-complete/ | title=Mega Dhs1bn library project in Dubai now 72% complete | first=Aarti | last=Nagraj | date=14 November 2018 | work=Gulf Business | access-date=27 October 2019 | archive-date=16 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116085553/http://gulfbusiness.com/mega-dhs1bn-library-project-dubai-now-72-complete/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://mapolis.com/en/building/Dubai_Central_Library#!wall | title=Dubai Central Library | access-date=2013-08-10 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105422/http://mapolis.com/en/building/Dubai_Central_Library | archivedate=2014-05-31 }}</ref> About 300,000 to 400,000 volumes will be available in the library's open-access section. The library will have book handling and information systems. The library has been designed by consortium of 'asp' Architekten Stuttgart, Obermeyer Planen+Beraten Munich, and the ACG Architecture Consulting Group. The structural design of the library and its foundation system was awarded from ACG to [http://www.samiro.com S. A. MIRO, INC.] for their experience in designing complicated structures similar to the library. The project's main contractor was ASGC Construction, a Dubai-based construction group.
==History== Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the conception of the library in February 2016, the "Year of Reading" in Dubai.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.emirates247.com/news/mohammed-bin-rashid-library-biggest-cultural-project-2016-09-07-1.640284|title=Mohammed bin Rashid Library biggest cultural project|last=Wam|date=2016-09-07|work=Emirates 24{{!}}7|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-GB|archive-date=2018-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140620/https://www.emirates247.com/news/mohammed-bin-rashid-library-biggest-cultural-project-2016-09-07-1.640284|url-status=live}}</ref> Designed in the shape of an open book on a lectern, the seven-story library will cover 650,000 square feet of property and is expected to facilitate 9 million visitors annually.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://emirateswoman.com/know-new-mohammed-bin-rashid-library/ | title=What To Know About The New Mohammed bin Rashid Library | date=2016-02-01 | work=Emirates Woman |first=Jack|last=Rogers|access-date=1 July 2025 | language=en-US | archive-date=2019-04-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401133551/http://emirateswoman.com/know-new-mohammed-bin-rashid-library/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library will house more than 4.5 million printed, digital, and audio books.<ref name=":0" /> The AED1 billion contract for the construction for the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is the largest cultural project in Dubai.<ref name=":0" /> Construction began in September 2016, to be completed by mid-2018.<ref name=":0" /> As of December 2017, the construction of the library was 22% completed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-47454-dubais-2723m-mbr-library-project-is-22-complete/|title=Dubai's $272.3m MBR Library project is 22% complete |last=Cerna|first=Fatima De La|date=2017-12-06|website=www.constructionweekonline.com|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319084653/http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-47454-dubais-2723m-mbr-library-project-is-22-complete/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, it was 72% complete.<ref name="gulfbusiness18" />
The library was due to open in 2018 but was still under construction in 2019.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/incredible-new-buildings/mohammed-bin-rashid-library--uae/ | newspaper=Daily Telegraph | location=UK | date=16 Jan 2018 | title=17 incredible buildings opening in 2018 – 16. Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, UAE | access-date=27 October 2019 | archive-date=23 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123065518/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/incredible-new-buildings/mohammed-bin-rashid-library--uae/ | url-status=live }}</ref> As of February 2020, the facade was complete, the main structure was topped out, and the interior in late stages of development.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://propsearch.ae/dubai/mohammed-bin-rashid-library | title=Mohammed Bin Rashid Library | website=Propsearch.ae | access-date=21 May 2021 | archive-date=21 May 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521221712/https://propsearch.ae/dubai/mohammed-bin-rashid-library | url-status=live }}</ref> The library was opened to public on 16 June 2022 and hosted a meeting of the Dubai Executive Council on 23 June 2022.<ref name="NationalExecutiveLibrary">{{cite news |last1=bin Mohammed |first1=Hamdan |title=Sheikh Hamdan leads Executive Council meeting at Dubai's striking new library |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2022/06/23/sheikh-hamdan-leads-executive-council-meeting-at-dubais-striking-new-library/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=The National |date=23 June 2022 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716184953/https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2022/06/23/sheikh-hamdan-leads-executive-council-meeting-at-dubais-striking-new-library/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Services== The library encompasses eight specialized collections, including an information centre, a media centre, an Arabic library, an international library, a public library, a business library, a youth library, a children's library, a family library, and a reading corner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/article-44017-dubais-mbr-library-on-track-to-complete-in-2018|title=Dubai's MBR Library on track to complete in 2018 |last=Morgan|first=James|website=www.constructionweekonline.com|date=18 April 2017|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319084544/http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-44017-dubais-mbr-library-on-track-to-complete-in-2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, the library will include a centre for conservation and preservation of books, manuscripts and documents, as well as a special library for the Al Maktoum Collection.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/dh1-billion-mohammed-bin-rashid-library-to-be-region-s-largest-2016-02-02-1.619505|title=Dh1 billion Mohammed bin Rashid Library to be region's largest|last=Wam|date=2016-02-02|work=Emirates 24{{!}}7|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-GB|archive-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319084503/https://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/dh1-billion-mohammed-bin-rashid-library-to-be-region-s-largest-2016-02-02-1.619505|url-status=live}}</ref> The library is expecting to host more than 100 cultural and intellectual events every year, along with a permanent art gallery.<ref name=":0" /> The inclusion of a Civilization museum and an Arab Heritage Museum will allow people to embrace their Arab identity through heritage preservation initiatives.<ref name=":1" /> The library includes a 500-seat theatre for lectures and seminars for launching intellectual and cultural events regionally and globally.<ref name=":1" />
The MBR Library will have modern technology to serve scientific research and dissemination of knowledge.<ref name=":0" /> Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, has stated that the MBR Library will be a ''"world accredited reference in Arabic language and a destination for specialists, scientists, writers, poets, intellectuals, talented minds, and students. It will also serve as an incubation for publishers."''<ref name=":0" />
The nearest Dubai Metro station is Creek on the Green Line with a shaded path under construction to link with the library.<ref name="NationalOpened" />
== Library pillars == Just as the pillars of wisdom in the ages of wisdom were six pillars, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library also relies on and is based on six pillars that form its message, establish its distinction, and multiply its impact. The six pillars are:
# Main Library and Specialized Libraries. # Encouraging reading. # Publishing content. # Supporting authorship and translation. # Protecting the Arabic language. # Preserving cultural heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-01 |title=What To Know About The New Mohammed bin Rashid Library – Emirates Woman |url=http://emirateswoman.com/know-new-mohammed-bin-rashid-library/|first=Jack|last=Rogers|access-date=2024-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401133551/http://emirateswoman.com/know-new-mohammed-bin-rashid-library/ |archive-date=2019-04-01 }}</ref>
==See also== * Al Ras Public Library, Dubai's oldest public library * Dubai Public Library, with a number of branches around Dubai
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Dubai landmarks}}
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Category:2022 establishments in the United Arab Emirates Category:Libraries in Dubai Category:Library buildings completed in 2022 Category:National libraries Category:Tourist attractions in Dubai