The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the emirate’s dedicated authority for culture, heritage and the arts, has introduced a brand new identity and development plan for the Dubai Public Library.

The move comes following the transfer of the eight public libraries in Dubai under its umbrella, according to a statement from Dubai Culture.

The new identity is the first step in Dubai Culture’s strategic plan to strengthen the role of the Dubai public libraries and reposition them as community-oriented centres that enhance public education and knowledge, it said.

The public libraries are also envisaged to drive intercultural dialogue through an array of activities including story–telling sessions, author visits and book-signing events over the coming months, it added.

Dubai Culture has currently launched and is showcasing the new identity of the public libraries at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and will also host visiting authors.

Saeed Al Nabouda, chief projects officer, Dubai Culture, said the new brand identity and development plan reflect the vision of the authority to further enhance the role of the Dubai Public Library in fostering community building through knowledge pursuits.

“At a basic level, the initiatives are aimed at strengthening reading habits among the public and creating a culture of knowledge and learning. From a wider community perspective, the libraries are expected to enhance the literary scene of Dubai and provide people with opportunities for self-development,' Al Nabouda noted.

'On its cultural context, the libraries will serve as a building platform for driving creativity, intercultural dialogue and strengthening the educational fabric of Dubai,' he added.

The Dubai Public Library offers members a wealth of educational experiences including access to books in several languages from around the world, referral materials, audio-visual materials including films and CDs, and a vast pool of study and research databases.

In addition to accessing a public online catalogue, members can benefit from the Ebrary, an advanced library software of immense value to students and researchers that provides online access to over 52,000 books including reference materials, the statement said.-TradeArabia News Service