Every New Year brings new beginnings, and with it the opportunity to make positive changes, learn something new, pick up a new hobby or become inspired by a new activity.
One can imagine millions around the world contemplating their ambitious resolutions for 2019 – starting healthier eating habits, learning a new skill, or learning to cook. The challenge is to keep up these aspirations as the year goes on and our day to day life comes in the way. Qatar National Library is the ideal resource to help you stay motivated and succeed in attaining your New Year goals. From a variety of books and exhibitions, to book clubs and classical music nights, the library invites everyone to make use of its valuable resources and facilities throughout the year, to give you the knowledge and inspiration you need to work on your goals.
You may be a book lover already, and 2019 may be the time to step out of your comfort zone, really unleash your curiosity by reading at least one book of a genre you have never considered before. In addition to fiction and literature, the library has books on philosophy, religion, world history, geography, social sciences, political science, law, education, music, fine arts, and much more.
An audiobook might be the perfect solution to keep up on your reading after a long day at work. As long as you are a member of the library, you can sign up to use a variety of databases such as OverDrive and RBdigital to access thousands of audiobooks, fiction and non-fiction alike. These databases also provide free access to your favourite magazines and publications from around the world. If you’re unsure how to use an audiobook, the library’s expert librarians will be happy to lend a helping hand.
Joining the library’s many book clubs which meet up to discuss a different title every month offers the chance to take part in live discussions with other members of the community who share a passion for reading. The library has book clubs for young adults, for English fiction readers, for Arabic fiction and non-fiction readers, and also a book club for the blind.
You can learn something new also by simply walking around one of the many exhibitions hosted at the library. For those interested in learning more about Qatar’s culture, the ‘Qatar Through Private Collections’ exhibition, which continues until 31 January, presents selected items from previously unseen archives of photos, artefacts and documents from the historical collections of several Qatari families.
The library has increasingly become a resource for visitors to learn about the region’s history and heritage through its ongoing exhibitions. ‘Syria Under the French Mandate (1918 – 1946)’, which retraces 30 years of Syria’s history back to a crucial period of French control over the region, is open for everyone to visit until April. The Heritage Library’s permanent exhibition, which contains over 400 items on display, illustrates the spread and evolution of ideas throughout the Arab and Islamic world, including documented interactions between the region and the West over the past several centuries.
You may be taking 2019 as an opportunity to become more tech-savvy and develop competences that are more and more needed. The library’s Innovation Stations include an editing suite, an audio-video studio, as well as 3D printers, all of which can be reserved for personal use. These facilities are accompanied by courses, which are repeated each month where you can learn how to use these facilities and become an expert yourself
If your goal is to spend more quality time as a family, you can take the young ones to the Children’s Library. Not only will they be able to join in a number of fun activities organised every month, it will also help foster a love of reading from an early age.
For those looking to make more time for friends, come and enjoy the pleasure of listening to classical music while surrounded by books by attending one of the library’s monthly concerts by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.
Thursday mornings offer the chance to learn a new skill in the knitting and crochet circle. All skill levels are welcome, and participants can bring their own materials or dip into the library’s supply of needles and yarn. Beyond developing handcraft skills, visitors get the chance to meet participants from all over the world, and to learn more about their cultures and traditions.
Finally, for those looking to explore the facilities at their leisure, join one of the library’s public tours. You can enquire at the Information Desk about the timing of the tours.
With a full calendar of events in 2019, be sure to visit the library often to get the most out of these resources and have a fun and productive year ahead.
To learn more about the library’s upcoming events, visit: www.qnl.qa/events
Qatar National Library
