Dubai gets its first beach library

Residents and tourists can borrow books to read next time they head to the beach.

Dubai Municipality inaugurated its first library on Kite Beach in Umm Suqeim on Thursday to allow beachgoers to unwind with a book while soaking up the sun with a view of Burj Al Arab.

Mariam Ahmed Bin Fahed, Director of Knowledge and Creativity Department at DM, said the project is one of eight libraries scheduled to open in Jumeirah 1 and Al Mamzar beach.

Launched in line with the National Month of Reading, the Kite beach library features a selection books in Arabic and English, covering a variety of topics for adults and children.

Bin Fahed said every week, a new library will be launched, with the next location set to be Jumeirah 1.

The library operates using solar energy and self-lighting systems to conserve energy.

Bin Fahed said beachgoers will be able to borrow the books and return them for free. The department will supervise the library every now and then.

She noted that the inauguration had positive reactions. "Residents and expats welcomed the idea and some actually donated their books to be put in the library," she said.

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

Sherouk Zakaria

"Born and raised in UAE, Sherouk Zakaria is a Senior Correspondent at Khaleej Times. Joined since May 2016, she covers Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), special events and humanitarian issues. Her choice of journalism as a career stems from her passion of telling people's stories and writing to inspire or make a difference. In her free time, she's an occasional theater and film actress. Sherouk received her BA in Mass Communications from the American University in Sharjah in 2013. Before joining Khaleej Times, she was a senior lifestyle/entertainment editor for a magazine in Dubai."