Libraries Guide: Qatar National Library (National, Public, Research) (National Libraries)

The Qatar National Library (QNL) project was announced on 19 November 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation. The Library opened its doors to the public on 7 November 2017 and was granted the status of national library under the Emiri Decree No.11 of 2018. His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, officially inaugurated the Library at a grand opening ceremony on 16 April 2018.

Vision

To be one of the world's preeminent centers of learning, research, and culture; a guardian of the region’s heritage; and an institution that promotes discovery and the nourishment of the human spirit.

Mission

The Qatar National Library’s mission is to spread knowledge, nurture imagination, cultivate creativity and preserve the nation’s heritage for the future.

The Library will achieve its mission by creating and sustaining an intuitive and trusted information environment in a culturally and technologically superior setting, and by developing innovative programs and services.

Objectives:

Qatar National Library (QNL) acts as a steward of Qatar’s national heritage by collecting, preserving and making available the country’s recorded history. In its role as a research library with a preeminent heritage library, QNL fosters and promotes greater global insight into the history and culture of the Gulf region. As a public library, QNL provides equal access for all Qatari residents to an environment that supports creativity, independent decision-making and cultural development. Through all its functions, QNL provides leadership to the country’s library and cultural heritage sectors.

QNL also supports Qatar’s transition from a reliance on natural resources to become a diversified and sustainable economy by providing support to students, researchers and the public to promote lifelong learning and empower individuals and communities for a better future. 

Services:

  • Events and Programs: the Library hosts more than 500 community events each year for children, teens and adults, along with special purpose activities and workshops for academics, historians and researchers.
  • Online Resources: the Library’s website provides members free access to a wide range of world-class online resources that they can access from anywhere in the world.
  • Innovation Station: the Library has a state-of-the-art Innovation Station, which provides dedicated spaces with access to 3D printing and scanning equipment, an audio and video recording studio, a photography room with equipment for digital design, musical instruments, virtual reality accessories, do-it-yourself (DIY) electronics, and much more.
  • Assistive Technology Services: the Library is committed to making the entire library, and all its services, accessible to everyone. The Library worked closely with a number of organizations in Qatar, including the Shafallah Center and Mada, to ensure that all visitors with special needs and disabilities can use its offerings.
  • Digitization Services: the Library’s state-of-the-art digitization center is digitizing content of all formats related to the Arab and Islamic heritage and making them available to everyone around the world free of charge as per international guidelines and standards for long-term preservation.
  • Conservation and Preservation: the Library’s team of highly trained international experts, with laboratories equipped with world-class technology, ensure the collection’s items are preserved for future generations.
  • Document Delivery: the Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Service provides members with materials not available in the Library’s collection, including journal articles, book chapters or sections, conference proceedings, and reports.
  • Ask QNL Librarians: This is a national reference service, which is offered through the QNL website. It connects people who have questions with the appropriate resources. QNL users can also approach the Information Desk in the library building for onsite help.
  • Research Services: In addition to academic and research online resources, QNL offers researchers free access to the following:
    • Qatar Digital Library
    • The QNL Digital Repository
    • Subject Guides and Research Tools (available through QNL website)
    • Open Access Author Fund
    • Open Access Vouchers
  • Public Computers: QNL offers numerous computing services, including:
    • PCs, printers, and scanners
    • Internet access on public computers
    • Wifi connectivity for personal equipment
    • Basic and advanced software for work and research
    • Two computer labs equipped with an AV-system and presentation facilities to conduct training sessions. These labs are open to the public when not otherwise in use.
  • Borrowing Services: members may borrow materials, including books, DVDs, and other resources for free.

 

Automated System:

Sierra Integrated Library Management System

Beneficiaries Categories:

Anyone with a Qatari ID can register to become a member of the Library and enjoy the benefits associated with this membership. However, the Library’s target audiences are the citizens, residents and visitors of Qatar, including children, young adults, adult, students and researchers.

Library Information

Foundation Date: November 2012
Institution that the library belongs to: Qatar National Library’s Authority
Country: Qatar
City: Doha
Address: PO Box: 5825, Doha – Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation.
Post Number: 5825
Phone: 0097444540100
Fax: 0097444546768
Used Languages: Arabic - English - French - Spanish - Italian

Library Holdings:

Holdings Count
Book 1000000
Manuscript 4000
Map 1400

Work Hours:

From Saturday To Thursday : 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
Friday : 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM


Last update of library information: 16 October 2018

© Bibliotheca Alexandrina