Qatar Foundation Central Library
What is Qatar Foundation Central Library?
As a major pillar of Qatar’s developing knowledge economy, the library is poised to be the premier information source for Qatar and the Gulf
Due to open in 2013, the Qatar Foundation Central Library (QFCL) will offer a rich collection of print and digital resources to Qatari residents. The magnificent 45,000 square-meter building, designed by internationally acclaimed Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, will also provide state-of-the-art technological facilities for schools, universities, research institutes and various community development organizations across Qatar.
A research, academic, national, public library
As a partner in the multiple-award-winning World Digital Library, QFCL already helps to make material from cultures around the world available on the Internet in multilingual format. It is now developing its capacity for the digital conversion of important cultural artifacts with all its Arab neighbors.
The mission of the library
QFCL’s aim is to develop a wide range of teaching, research, reference and digital resources so that more people in Qatar will be able to participate in the country’s emerging global knowledge-based economy. The library will offer a range of educational and instructional programs that cover:
- Teaching resources and research skills
- How to use digital resources
- Development of children's literacy
- Research and reference services.
A local resource with worldwide applications
The ultra-modern library facilities will include:
- public computer workstations
- digital media production facilities
- a variety of collaborative and individual learning spaces
- performance spaces for community groups
- full-text research databases
The Heritage Library
QFCL will host the Heritage Library, an important historical collection that reflects the best in Arabic culture and achievement.
Did you know?
- With an initial collection of 150,000 items, the library is planning for 1.2 million books, magazines, audio-visual materials, plus a vast e-book collection
