Dubai Culture Announces the Closure of Al Ras Public Library

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) today announced the closure of Al Ras Public Library. Located in the centre of Deira, Al Ras Library was the city’s first public library and was inaugurated by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Maktoum Ras in 1963.

Home to more than 100,000 books in several languages and more than 170 periodicals the building represents a chapter of the city’s history. With a separate section dedicated to children’s literature, a reading hall, activity room, and audio-visual facilities, the library will close for essential maintenance work until further announcement.

Dubai Culture aims to enhance Dubai’s cultural scene and draw attention to the UAE’s rich heritage. The Authority’s mandate is to build bridges of constructive dialogue between different civilisations and cultures to enhance Dubai's position as a creative and sustainable global city for culture, heritage, arts, and literature, with the aim to empower these sectors by developing creative and innovative projects and initiatives locally, regionally, and globally.