Dubai Municipality launches library kiosks at beaches

Dubai - The municipality is all set to introduce library kiosks from where beach goers can borrow books to read and unwind while soaking up the sun.

After the Smart Palms, more services are in the pipeline to lift your spirits while relaxing on Dubai's sunny beaches. Beach goers will be given books to read for free from next month, thanks to a Dubai Municipality initiative.
The municipality is all set to introduce library kiosks from where beach goers can borrow books to read and unwind while soaking up the sun.
The project aims to encourage people to read, in line with the initiative of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to make 2016 the Year of Reading.
The first set of library units will be installed at the Kite beach in Umm Suqueim and Al Mamzar Beach - the beaches that attract hundreds of thousands of people annually, officials told Khaleej Times.
"Initially, we are providing eight units in these beaches. We will increase the number and extend it to all beaches later on," said one official.
From these library units, bookworms can borrow the books during their beach breaks and enjoy a cheerful read. They will have to return the books when they wind up from the beach.
"They can also take a stroll on the beach while reading the book and then return it to any other library unit on the beach," another official said.
Alya Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, director of environment department at the municipality, said these libraries will provide a selection of titles in English and Arabic. There will be a section for children's books as well. The collection in these beach libraries will help readers know more about the culture, history and traditions of the UAE.
"We have designed them in a nice way and each library unit will have its own standalone solar power system," the official said.
He said it was a complementary service to the Smart Palm initiative. Launched in Dubai's parks and beaches, the Smart Palms provide free WiFi service and charging units for electronic gadgets to visitors from a solar-powered palm tree-shaped technology hub. At the beach, they also announce weather warnings.
sajila@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai