Mohammed bin Rashid Library to be launched in Dubai; considered one of the major cultural projects in the Middle East withholding costs of AED 1 billion, reported Trade Arabia.

The library is expected to include eight specialized libraries that will hold 1.5 million printed books, two million digital books and one million audio books.

The seven-storey building is designed in a shape of an open book placed on a lectern and is expected to host cultural events annually, include a permanent art gallery, and a space for institutions that advocate the development of  Arabic language content.

There will also be a center specialized in preserving and restoring books, manuscripts and documents, as well as a special library for the Al Maktoum collection and a museum for civilization.

The building will spread on an area of 650,000 square feet and is expected to receive 42 million visitors per year, stated Arabian Business.

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum offered the library as a cultural and knowledge gift for upcoming generations.
The main goals of the library include encouraging reading, spreading content, supporting authoring and translation, conserving Arabic language, and preserving cultural heritage.

The buildings will be equipped with modern technology that can be used for scientific research, searching for credible references in Arabic language and is considered a perfect destination for specialists, scientists, researchers, writers, poets, intellectuals, publishers and students.