Libraries Undergo a Sea Change

In the age of electronic accessibility of information, the Dubai Municipality is trying to boost the use of public libraries with its strategy to open one every two to three years and improve their services.

The next one will be in Al Mankhool, which is slated to open in two months, raising the number of libraries in the emirate to eight. In an interview with Khaleej Times, Mohammed Jassim Al Eraidi, Director of Dubai Public Libraries at the municipality, said membership of public libraries has grown in the past year. According to last year’s figures, the public libraries have 12,369 members. “People of 68 nationalities use our libraries. They aren’t just walk-ins but people who actually hold library cards,” he said.

The feasibility of opening a library depends on the population of a particular area. “We have places designated for libraries. We study the population and if it increases by around 60-70 per cent, we plan a library for that locality,” he added.

The public libraries are building an electronic database to give the users a wider option of sources. “We have already converted our Umm Sequim library into an electronic one. All other libraries have 70 per cent electronic material and the rest in printed forms. We have all sorts of e-books, e-magazines and other e-sources for our visitors,” said Al Eraidi. The public libraries are networked for the convenience of members. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system manages information by eliminating repetitive tasks and reduces material handling by 90 per cent. “All public libraries use one unit and catalogue. A member can borrow a book from one library and return it at another, so it is hassle free. It also relieves the staff from tedious tasks.”

Eliminating the queue for checking out, the public libraries have adopted an easy swipe mechanism. “All the cardholder needs to do is place the book and his card on a swiping tray and leave.” The municipality is trying to encourage people to use the resources of the libraries and consider them as a place to meet people of same mentality. “We conduct many activities throughout the year. We have sessions for children to inculcate the habit of reading among them. We also encourage family memberships so that the reading habit grows,” he added. The two-storey Al Mankhool Library will have 2,400 square metres in floor area and is being equipped with the latest technology to integrate print and electronic resources for users on its opening.

On the cards is also the state-of-the-art Dubai Central Library which, Al Eraidi said, will be a landmark of the emirate. “We are finalising the project but have not decided on a date yet,” he said.

Librarians as Knowledge Managers

A librarian’s role is not only to issue books to users these days, but he has to get involved in a range of activities that ensure knowledge-seekers find the right information. “Being a librarian in the digital age is no easy task. We are constantly synthesising information and distinguishing the authentic from the unreliable,” said Rani Anand, librarian at Murdoch University, Dubai Campus. Michael Dowling, Director of the International Relations Office, American Library Association, said a librarian can assist a person find the right material for any sort of reading or project. “Librarians are knowledge workers and managers. They take all the information from the world and make it accessible for users, creating databases and creating their own local information platforms.

They assist in finding the right resources, and encourage critical thinking and understanding of information.” Many universities in the UAE have introduced Information Literacy Classes (ILC) as a mandatory subject for their students. The ILC classes are conducted by librarians who teach the students how to find relevant data and use them in their research papers and projects.

“We tell students that they have an ability to know and that answers exist to all their questions. We teach them how to find them and reach out to authentic sources in the process. They need to promote reading habits and know how to incorporate the informational legally,” said Patricia A. Wand, dean, Library and Learning Resources at Zayed University.

The Information Literacy Network in the region helps librarians create information databases which can be sent out to readers of specific subjects. “We look at references and gather information from various sources which we then email to the students. Also when a student wants certain information for a project, he can send us a mail and we will get back to him with the right sources,” said Anand.

Services At A Public Library

· Guidance: Librarians and notices

· IT Services: Online catalogue, databases, reference material and Internet

· Photocopy and Printing Facilities

· Lending Services

· Children’s library with books and activities suitable for children

· Cultural Activities: A multi-purpose hall for seminars, lectures and movie shows

Public Libraries In Dubai

· Al Ras, Baniyas Street

· Hor Al Anz, Al Nahda Street

· Al Rashidiya

· Al Safa, opposite the park

· Umm Suqueim

· Al Twar

· Hatta

Timings: 8 am – 9 pm daily except Fridays

Figures to know

· First library Al Ras on Baniyas Street built in 1963

· Number of public libraries in Dubai: 7

· Total number of members by 2008: 12,369

· Number of visitors in 2008: 445,362

· Number of items (books or audio-video material) borrowed: 141,836

Membership

· Apply with a passport photocopy (with the visa page) and a photograph. Membership is valid for five years.

· For individual membership: Dh210 and Dh115, refundable after one year if the membership is cancelled.

· For family membership: Dh260 and Dh200, refundable after one year if the membership is cancelled.

· Individual members can borrow three books for two weeks. Under a family membership, six books can be borrowed for three weeks

Reinventing for New Century

If your first picture associated with a library is racks stacked with thick dusty volumes of books and a stern woman pointing her podgy finger towards a ‘maintain silence’ sign, think again. With the economic downturn reducing the disposable incomes, a library could be the cheapest outlet for recreation and research.

Michael Dowling, Director of the International Relations Office, American Library Association, introduced ‘The Campaign for the World’s Libraries’ 
at Zayed University, Dubai campus, last month.

“Libraries have changed so much over the years but with the Internet, they seem to have been forgotten. We need to reintroduce the services of libraries to the community,” he told Khaleej Times.

The campaign by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions of the American Library Association has been adopted by 30 countries and regions worldwide and is trying to gain a foothold in the UAE. “The campaign was launched in 2001 and is an opportunity to promote the services of libraries,” said Dowling.

@your library is the logo of the campaign that can be customised for 
local campaigns.

“Libraries can adopt this logo and create taglines that will encourage the public to use the libraries. For example, one of the libraries adopted a tagline ‘The Internet…only better @ your library,” Dowling explained.

A library is no longer only stacked with books, but is a centre for audio, video and electronic material.

Incorporating IT into libraries has helped integrate print and electronic material, enabling easy access to information. “Today, a library has many more new resources that can be utilised. In the US it has been noticed
that in the present economic climate, people tend to use the library resources to find jobs and utilise the expertise of the librarians for references,” 
he added.

A Hangout of Students, Job-seekers

Libraries seem to be becoming a popular evening hangout spot for residents.

According to the Dubai Municipality, 445,362 people visited the public libraries in Dubai in 2008. Professionals generally walk in after work for light reading while university students rush to a library to complete assignments with appropriate details.

This reporter met eye specialist Kelly Shallwani at the Jumeirah library. She said she is studying for a licensing examination to practise in California. “Since all public libraries in Dubai are stacked with the latest books, it’s easy to find the books I require,” she said. She holds a family membership that allows her entire family to access all services. “With this card, which is valid for five years, I can check out any book and also have unlimited access to 
the Internet.”

Wi-fi services at a coffee shop come at a price of a coffee and an Internet café may not be the most peaceful place to work. Many people, therefore, opt the libraries’ affordable and efficient net browsing services. “I use the Internet at libraries because I can carry out my work without interruptions and I don’t have to spend more than Dh10 a day. They are also very well e-resourced,” said Dennis M., a job hunter at the Jumeirah library.

Emelyn W. Martinez finds the silence in the library golden. “I work at Media City and am currently preparing for an executive MBA course. I come to the library in Al Rashidiya twice a week with my books for some peaceful and noise-free research.”

The library could also serve as your ticket to that big job in testing times. Noor Atallah was one such person scanning newspapers for a suitable job opportunity at the Al Rashidiya library.

“I am looking for a job in Dubai. I come to the library to scan different newspapers and periodicals that 
the library stacks. It’s the only way 
to get my hands on so many different publications.”

afshan@khaleejtimes.com