A Cultural Journey that Began at Al Hisn and Reached the Mountains of Khorfakkan

Abstract

This article reviews the century-long history of Sharjah Public Libraries, tracing their development from the library of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, which became Al Qasimia Library in 1925, through successive institutional relocations and expansions, to the opening of the modern headquarters in Cultural Square in 2011 and the creation of a library network extending across the cities of the Emirate of Sharjah. It highlights the libraries’ contribution to culture, scientific research, reading development, and community service, as well as the growth of their printed and electronic collections in multiple languages.   The article also examines the centenary celebrations held under the theme “100 Years of Stories” as an opportunity to revisit the values that shaped Sharjah’s library experience, particularly the promotion of knowledge, books, and cultural identity. It documents the shift from traditional services toward electronic lending, smart lockers, accessible facilities for blind users and persons with disabilities, and a range of cultural and reading initiatives that position libraries as spaces for dialogue and knowledge exchange. The article concludes that Sharjah Public Libraries have evolved beyond repositories of books into institutions combining cultural memory, digital resources, smart services, and educational and career-oriented programs, enabling them to sustain their cultural and knowledge role into the future.