Sharjah Public Library in Its New Form

Abstract

This article provides an informative overview of Sharjah Public Library after its relocation to its new building in the Cultural Square in Sharjah. It presents the library as a central cultural institution that supports knowledge dissemination and community service. The article describes the library’s multi-floor structure, reading areas, specialized halls, collections, audiovisual materials, theses and dissertations, reference works, periodicals, and Arabic and foreign-language resources. It also highlights the organization of the library’s collections according to the Dewey Decimal Classification and outlines its key services, including circulation, reference and reception services, research rooms, internet access, photocopying, current awareness, electronic theses, and public communication through e-mail. Special attention is given to services for different user groups, particularly children, women, and visually impaired users. The article further discusses the use of RFID technology in self-circulation, collection security, inventory, collection management, item tracking, and user privacy. It concludes by referring to the library’s departments and branches across the Emirate of Sharjah, emphasizing its role as a public cultural and knowledge institution.