By Ayman Adly/Staff Reporter


Dr al-Kuwari touring the library with other officials
The Culture Centre for Childhood (CCC) launched its first mobile library “Colours” in Qatar at Katara on Wednesday evening.
The library, expected to usher in the age of mobile libraries in Qatar, offers children a variety of interesting activities such as puppet theatre, reading and e-library, the narrator corner, cultural competitions, and selling books and interactive toys.
CCC would make the mobile library “Colours” reach out to children through visits to schools, public parks and gardens, shopping malls, Katara, Doha Corniche and some external areas.
The library was inaugurated by the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari as a pioneer project of CCC.
Dr Hind al-Muftah, CCC director general, explained that a bus was equipped and prepared to “reflect an unconventional model of the library in the mind of children. It offers an interactive pattern of reading for pleasure and entertainment. It is a library that accompanies children and reaches out to them wherever they are.”
Al-Muftah pointed out the idea of mobile library “Colours” came about when field visits were conducted to some primary schools and kindergartens to make a survey about their reading inclinations as a pilot stage.
“We found out an unexpected fondness of reading in children in spite of the findings of the research studies and remarks that clearly indicate a weak relationship among children, reading and books,” she said, hoping that the CCC would play a more active role in positively changing “children’s behavioural and intellection reading habits”.
She further stressed that CCC was working with supporting partners to make “reading for children, not just a hobby, but a way of life to make their life with books and reading a key for the development and advancement of the society”.
She hoped that the adopted motto “Colour your life with reading” would not be just an attractive promotion motto but a real life experience for children.
Dr. Ali al-Kubaisi, CCC chairman, thanked HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage for his continuous support for the centre and his active participation in its major projects, and honoured him with the centre’s memorial shield.
“This is an extraordinary occasion for it is linked with the future. Reading is a great value if we could inculcate it in our children as a way of preparing them for a bright future for the country,” said Dr al-Kuwari.
He expressed his admiration of the idea of the project indicating that reading is an essential key to creativity and country service.  
The minister also signed 12 stories written by Qatari children and young people which have been sponsored by CCC. Young writers related their experiences and appreciated the support of CCC in making their creations come to the light.
The inauguration party featured various performances by children, such as songs, Arabic musical pieces and short operettas about the importance of reading. The major sponsors and supporters of the project were honoured by CCC.