Public libraries in Dubai resumed services from June 18

Dubai: The Emirates has been getting ready to resume almost all the paused sectors since early this month. Several changes were made in the regulations and new safety measures were issued in general.

Now the libraries are getting ready to be at the service of Dubai book lovers. The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) announced the re-opening of all public libraries across Dubai on Thursday. However, the public library in Al Ras is still closed.

The reopening of Dubai public libraries was under the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management’s decision to resume various cultural and economic activities in the Emirates. This allows people over the age of 60 and children under the age of 12 to visit public places.

Dubai Culture has assured the public that comprehensive precautionary measures have been enforced to protect the health and wellbeing of visitors and employees. There were changes in the operating hours too. Public libraries will be open from 10 am until 5 pm from Saturday until Thursday. Events and workshops, however, will remain suspended until further notice, according to Dubai Culture.

Dubai Culture said in a statement, “All visitors are instructed to maintain a distance of two meters with others. Each entrant is subject to thermal screening and sanitizers are made freely available to everyone. Both employees and visitors are required to wear a face mask and all areas of the libraries are being frequently disinfected.”

Public libraries in Dubai are famous for their high-quality services including information services, extensions, references, external and internal circulations, briefings, periodicals, and newspapers. They also provide advanced electronic services to rapidly access large amounts of information through automatic searches, databases, and internet and multimedia services. Other services offered include multi-purpose halls, facilities for People of Determination, and services, such as copying, faxing, packaging, and scanning.

Following the announcement of the re-opening of public libraries, Dubai Culture has invited the public to explore Dubai’s unique public libraries. It also encouraged the public to take advantage of the various services provided by them especially as the school year comes to a close.

Public libraries in the Emirates were closed from mid-March in line with the precautionary measures taken in the UAE to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).