Sharjah Public Libraries Marks 100 Years with Year-Long Celebrations

Photo : Photo : Sharjah Govt Media Bureau

Sharjah is celebrating 100 years of its public libraries. This celebration is happening under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the head of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). The celebrations will take place all year long with many exciting events.

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The first event will start on January 29 at Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn), right in the heart of Sharjah. This special event will remember how the UAE’s first public library was started in 1925 during the time of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi. This library was first in Sharjah Fort and later became the Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) in 2011 when it moved to the Cultural Square. Since then, SPL has been a key part of Sharjah’s cultural and learning journey.

To mark the 100 years, SPL has planned many activities for 2025. These activities are designed to show how the library has helped shape the community and inspire young people. More than 13 government organizations are working with SPL on this celebration. The activities will focus on four important themes: ‘Literary Beginnings’, ‘Cultural Civilisation’, ‘Horizons of Literature and Poetry’, and ‘Cultural Sustainability’. These themes will help everyone see how libraries play a big role in our lives.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi spoke about the importance of libraries in Sharjah’s growth. She said that His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi has always believed that books and knowledge are the foundation of strong societies. Sharjah has worked hard to make libraries an important part of the world’s cultural development.

Sheikha Bodour said, “The centennial celebration of SPL shows the work of our ancestors who started the journey of learning in Sharjah. It highlights the important role libraries play in keeping cultural knowledge alive and inspiring people today and in the future.”

The history of Sharjah Public Libraries is long and full of growth. It all started in 1924 with Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah at that time. The library was first called Al Qasimia Library and was located in the ruler’s palace. It stayed in Sharjah Fort until 1956 when it was moved to another building nearby called Al Mudheef.

The library grew over time with help from other rulers like Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. In 1980, the library moved to a new place called Africa Hall, and in 1987, it went to the Sharjah Cultural Centre. It moved again to University City in 1988 and finally, in 2011, it found its current home in the Cultural Palace Square.

The year-long celebration of 100 years of Sharjah Public Libraries will show how much the library has given to Sharjah and the UAE. It will also look forward to what the future holds for libraries in shaping the community and learning for years to come.