The World’s Largest Public Libraries: The Ship Doulos

Abstract

The article presents the ship “Doulos” as a distinctive model of a floating public library and travelling book fair. It traces the ship’s history from its construction in 1914, highlighting its changing names and functions before becoming a global cultural platform. The article explains how Doulos contributed to disseminating books and promoting cultural dialogue among nations through thousands of titles in multiple languages and subjects, and through visits to numerous ports worldwide. It also focuses on the ship’s visit to Sharjah and the accompanying educational, artistic, and volunteer-based activities for the public, students, and children. The article concludes that the Doulos experience extends beyond book selling; it represents a living example of how public libraries can support cultural exchange, community service, and global understanding.