Qatar’s Trailblazers |
Dr Sohair Wastawy
A world-class public library fit
for the 21 st century
The Executive Director’s aim is to make the inspirational building
central to the lives of Qatar’s community
O
ne of the most rewarding parts of Dr Sohair
Wastawy’s job is to stand by the door of the new
national library. She likes to watch the awestruck look on
visitors’ faces as they see the magnificent building for the
first time.
Indeed, as Executive Director of the monumental
Qatar National Library (QNL), a member of Qatar
Foundation, Dr Wastawy oversees a world of dreams.
“The first time I walked through the building, I could tell
this was goi ng to be more than just another library,” she
says. “It’s an incredible building, designed by the famous
architect, Rem Koolhaas, and it has a very different feel
from a traditional library.
“The moment you walk in, you can see a panoramic
view of the entire library, with all of its possibilities, all
around you. The light surrounds you and gives you a
feeling of warmth. It is very rewarding to stand by the
door and see the look on the faces of those entering the
library for the first time: complete awe.”
So what makes the visionary new library in Doha’s
Education City so different? “Most national libraries are
not open to the public in the manner of this library,”
explains Dr Wastawy.
“QNL is truly a library of the 21 st century. This is
reflected in its floor plan, services, collections, and
mission. We offer hundreds of public events, from early
literacy programmes to knitting groups to orchestral
performances. We aim to be central to the Qatari
community, not just a place people think of when they
occasionally need a book.”
Its mission is to spread knowledge, nurture imagination,
cultivate creativity, and preserve the nation’s heritage for
future generations.
A tour of the gleaming library reveals a multitude of
quiet corners for reflection and an interactive children’s
library, full of brightly-coloured toys, alongside treasured
heirloom volumes and stacks of academic works.
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