| Issue 4
| Qatar National Library interior
Public computer workstations, performance spaces, and
a café complement the world-class literary collection.
The building also houses a world-leading collection of
Islamic literature and antiquities, a rich heritage now
protected for the nation.
Well-worn first editions of pivotal works sit alongside
early versions of European fairy tales and rare Islamic
books. You could lose hours quietly browsing the shelves,
dipping into old volumes. In contrast, the digital facilities
and technology are cutting edge.
An online portal allows users to access the library
remotely, while a book club for the blind supports people
with visual impairments.
It is truly a library for everyone. Dr Wastawy says:
“This is a unique national library that plays three roles:
national, public, and research.”
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Having spent most of her career in academic libraries
where there is a sole mission and a single erudite
audience, the breadth of her new role has proved
inspirational for the director.
Of course, there have been some challenges along the
way. “The most challenging part so far has been working
out the details that you only notice once the library is
open to the public,” she says.
“QNL gives Qatar’s community something it
has lacked: a welcoming, inspirational place
where individuals and families can come to
learn together and have fun.”
“We have been planning for this opening for years,
working with some of the world’s experts in a range
of related fields, but you never quite know how