Qatar National Library

F-117 Nighthawk
Doha ❖ In May 2015, Doha was officially recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities together with Vigan,
La Paz, Durban, Havana, Beirut and Kuala Lumpur.
❖ Qatar National Library (QNL) is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation
for Education, Science and Community Development.

❖ The plans for the new national library were announced by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser

❖ aims to serve a three-fold function: as a national library, a research-level university library, and a
central metropolitan public library equipped for the digital age

❖ a national library as defined by UNESCO

❖ collects and provides access to global knowledge, including heritage content and materials
relevant to Qatar and the region

❖ supports education and research at all levels

❖ provides library services and resources to meet the reading interests and foster the information
literacy of the general public
 The Library by Rem Koolhaas

✓ One similarity between architecture and bookmaking is that both have unbelievably long traditions but are
also forced to be of the moment, constantly updating in order to survive

❖ the beginning the idea was to make reading as accessible and as stimulating as possible to the population
of Qatar as a whole

❖ took a plate and folded its corners up to create terraces for the books, but also to enable access in the
center of the room

❖ emerge immediately surrounded by literally every book – all physically present, visible, and accessible,
without any particular effort
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 0
SECTION
Library collections and services
➢ Any Qatari citizen or resident permit holder is eligible for free library registration

➢ QNL’s website offers registered library users free online access to a diverse collection of online resources, including
international scholarly databases and top academic journals, as well as popular literature, magazines, children's
resources, and music

➢ The library offers a wide variety of books and e-books, in English, Arabic, and other languages, including fiction and
non-fiction, bestsellers and classics, as well as magazines and journals, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks

➢ In 2018, the library's collection consisted of more than 800,000 books on its shelves and more than 500,000 eBooks,
periodicals and newspapers, and special collections

➢ Library educational programming includes book clubs, language-learning classes, musical events, and craft
workshops, as well as events for children and their families, such as storytelling, crafts, and science exhibits
The 21st Century Library
Innovative technologies are seamlessly integrated throughout the building, enhancing accessibility and efficiency
without detracting from the overall aesthetic. These include:

▪ Automated self-checkout and return stations, and a radio

frequency identification (RFID) book sorter system, allow for
convenient access to the Library's materials
▪ A people mover system transports library users throughout
the shelving tiers, making the collection easily accessible
for all visitors

▪ A wide range of computer systems, tablets, interactive

screens and audio-visual equipment throughout the
building
A Community Space
The Library has numerous facilities for individual and group collaboration, research and study. These include:

•Assistive technology room including 16 computer stations with adjustable levelling, equipped with cutting-edge
hardware and software technologies
•A dedicated area for young adults
•A 686-square-meter Children’s Library
•4-room Innovation Station
•2 instruction rooms
•A computer lab
•8 group study rooms
•28 individual study carrels
•3 media viewing rooms
•26 large interactive screens and 465 computers
•A 200-seat Special Events Area with lights, an LED screen, speakers and noise-dampening curtains
•A 120-seat auditorium
•A restaurant and a café
INTERIOR
MEDIA VIEWING ROOM
INSTRUCTION ROOM
BUILDING’S MODEL
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