DESCRIPTION

Qatar National Library’s management and planning office is pleased to welcome you to the library’s website. Staff is currently preparing for the National Library’s opening in a spectacular library building designed by the renowned architect Rem Koolhaas.

Qatar National Library (QNL) carries out its mission through three functions: National Library, University and Research Library, and a Metropolitan Public Library of the digital age. The National Library function collects and provides access to global knowledge relevant to Qatar and the region. It also collects, preserves, and provides access to heritage content and materials about Qatar and the region. The University and Research Library function supports education and research at all levels by providing printed and digital library materials for students and researchers. Metropolitan Public Library delivers library services and information for everyone to enjoy reading, meet people, and become information literate.

Included in QNL’s facilities will be a variety of collaborative and individual learning spaces, a Children's Library, 300 public computer workstations, digital media production facilities, performance spaces, a café, an adaptive technology center, Writing Center and Tutoring Center, and more.

In addition to full-text databases, we are planning for 1.2 million books, 500,000 ebooks, periodicals and newspapers, and special collections. The renowned Heritage Colelction was integrated with the library in the summer of 2011. Our qualified librarians are experts in teaching, research skills, literacy, programs, and knowledge management. Combining all these skills together with QNL’s strong service ethic, there will be much for the local community to do, learn, and discover.

Qatar National Library (QNL) is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF). QNL is supporting Qatar in its journey from carbon-based economy to knowledge-based economy by providing resources to students, researchers, and the community in Qatar. It was announced in November 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

QNL is currently offering free online access to a vast collection of online resources, including the latest bestsellers, classical works, concerts, top academic journals and documentaries.

Qatar National Library’s registered members can currently access a complete list of online resources through: http://www.qnl.qa/find-answers/online-resources. Anyone who lives in Qatar and has a valid Qatari ID/Residence Permit is eligible for free library registration.

To register, please visit: https://library.qnl.qa/selfreg

Vision and Mission

Vision

Bridging with knowledge Qatar’s and the Arab and Islamic world’s heritage and future

Mission

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

Director’s Welcome

Bridging with knowledge Qatar’s and the Arab and Islamic world’s heritage and future – the new Qatar National Library will become the knowledge hub of the country. In a time, when the information society is crucial to a country’s development, libraries with their combined real and digital services are the spearheads of this development.

Qatar National Library will
Collect and give access to all published material – print or digital - from Qatar and about Qatar
Preserve Qatar’s heritage collections for the future
Become the backbone of science and research in Qatar
Provide public library services and support the library network of the country
Qatar National Library - based on Qatar’s tradition of Dar Al Kutub, the first public library in the Gulf Region founded on 29. December 1962 - will serve everybody from world-class researchers looking for high specialized scientific articles to the general public enjoying listening to music or watching videos. The new building of Qatar National Library in Education City is designed by star architect Rem Koolhaas. A landscape of knowledge will be displayed to the visitors, a childrens library, gaming section, heritage exhibition and a vast amount of books and journals in printed, and digital format. Music and film collections will be presented to the public and students and researchers will have unlimited possibilities to use the digital collection in the library.

This website opens two years before the library building can be used in reality. It already gives an outlook to what will happen, our currently available services, and will provide monthly news about the progress towards opening. You are invited to try out our virtual library, ask questions to our reference librarians, to comment and make suggestions so we will do better every day.

Hope to see you in our community pages in the near future.

Prof. Dr. Claudia Lux 
Project Director
Qatar National Library

Academic Programs and Services

When National Library opens, we will be providing numerous programs and services to citizens and residents of Qatar, including these academic programs and services.

• Collaborative, multi-media learning spaces and study rooms
•  
• 24/7 study space
•  
• Multi-media production lab
•  
• Information literacy
•  
• Writing and Peer Tutoring centers
•  
• Research consultations
•  
• Second Language Learning
•  
• Adaptive Technology
• Subject portals to online resources
•  
• Bibliographic management software
•  
• Embedded technology
•  
• Interlibrary loan/document delivery services

Educational Programs and Services

Educational Programs and Services for All Ages
When National Library opens, we will be providing numerous programs and services to citizens and residents of Qatar, including these educational programs and services for all ages.

For adults:

• Book clubs
•  
• Second language learning programs
•  
• Music programs
•  
• Author presentations
•  
• Craft workshops
•  
• Other educational topics

For children and their families:

• Early literacy programs and storytimes
•  
• Craft activities
•  
• Summer reading program
•  
• Science fun
•  
• Book clubs
•  
• Exciting performers
•  
• And much more

For teens:

• E-game programs
•  
• Learn to draw manga programs
•  
• Programs such as martial arts demonstrations
•  
• Information literacy activities
•  
• Book clubs
•  
• And much more

Public Computer Programs and Services

When National Library opens, we will be providing numerous programs and services to citizens and residents of Qatar, including these public computer programs and services.

• Numerous computers for public use, including both PCs and Macs
•  
• Wi-Fi
•  
• Smartphone apps
•  
• Computer training
• Educational technology support
•  
• Adaptive technology for special needs
•  
• Self-guided tours via podcasts and vidcasts

Preserving Our Heritage

When National Library opens, we will be providing numerous programs and services to citizens and residents of Qatar, including these labs.

• Digitization center
•  
• Conservation lab
•  
• Archives