All about Sharjah Beach Library: Timings, Rules & more

Books and the beach — for avid readers, there is no better combination. The calming monotony of crashing waves goes well with a good read in hand, and is enough to turn anyone into a reader in moments. For residents of Sharjah, this has become a possibility thanks to the Sharjah Beach Library Initiative. What is it about and where has the initiative been introduced so far in the emirate? Let’s find out.

What is the Sharjah Beach Library Initiative?

The Sharjah Beach Initiative is one of the many yearlong activities that was introduced in celebration of Sharjah being crowned World Book Capital 2019 by UNESCO — rightly deserved considering the emirate’s vital role in supporting books and promoting readership.

Launched earlier this year, the Sharjah Beach Library Initiative is a movement meant to instil the habit of reading in different communities in the emirate. Launched by the Sharjah World Book Capital Office (SWBC Office), the initiative was started in association with Knowledge without Borders (KwB) — a government movement with the goal of encouraging children and parents to spend more time reading. Other collaborators include the Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Sharjah Ladies Club (SLC).

Sharjah Beach Library Locations

Al Khan Beach

The first library by the Sharjah Beach Initiative was set up at Al Khan Beach. A move that seeks to break stereotypes, that the act of reading must be confined to a traditional setting, the library’s first location was an ideal choice. The beach is pretty popular with the locals with 600 metres of sand and a dedicated swimming area. Catering to all age groups, the library features more than 100 titles in multiple languages. Suitable for all age groups, the aim of the first launch was to make such material accessible to people from all walks of life.

The first edition of the Sharjah Beach Library Initiative at Al Khan Beach also inaugurated a Mobile Beach Library. Carried on a 4×4, the wheeled library can be rolled out to any public beach in Sharjah. Inaugurated by KwB, the introduction of the portable book collection is a continuation of a 2010 mobile library initiative by the cultural movement.

Al Khan Beach 2

The second phase of the initiative was launched in August 2019 at Al Khan Beach 2. A hit with beachgoers and residents, the event saw book lovers, children and adults coming together to narrate stories from their favourite titles.

Sharjah Ladies Club

The third Sharjah Beach Library location was at the Sharjah Ladies Club. Like its predecessors, the inauguration at the leisure club featured a range of activities like games, treasure hunts, competitions and even live cooking shows by professional chefs.

Sharjah Beach Library Rules

Like any indoor library, Sharjah Beach Library has rules in place. And they are pretty straightforward:

Keep books dry
Return the book after use
Do not damage or lose the book
Do not place other books or publications on the bookshelf

That’s all for our review of the Sharjah Beach Library Initiative. If this post has encouraged you to visit the initiative’s first launch site, our guide to Al Khan beach will help you make the most of the experience. For a beachside experience that is more relaxing, check out our review of the Longbeach Campground in RAK. Of course, if you like to visit public libraries in the emirate, the Sharjah Library is a great place to start.

For more updates on the latest cultural events, stay tuned to posts on MyBayut.

Pin2