Al Ain Residents Rue Lack of a Public Library.

Summary: AL AIN -- Residents of Al Ain have expressed the need for a public library like the ones in bigger cities around the country.

The major cities in the country have public libraries stocked with both Arabic and English books, reference material and periodicals, audio-visual material and Internet facilities.

Abdullah Al Shaikh, a resident, told Khaleej Times that though there are several key development projects under way in Al Ain city, there was no public library where people could go to for accessing material on various subjects, especially cultural and heritage.

Another resident Yagoub Hamid said the Internet had edged out the books that were the main source of culture and enlightenment, but the new generation of Arab citizens does not have the kind of reading habits their ancestors had.

Expatriates living in Al Ain apart from the lack of a proper public library, the books available in the market were highly priced.

Some of the residents complained that the prices of books available in the town varied from one bookstore to another, which all the more necessitates the setting up a well-stocked library for the benefit of the readers.

The increasing popularity of some 'book lending' outlets among the readers is another reason why a full-fleged library should be set up in Al Ain, said Raea'a Saad.

"We need to spend some quality time at a library to gain knowledge of our culture, philosophy, arts and science, instead of wasting time roaming in the malls," said Huda Al Wasil, a housewife.

Layla Abdel Karim felt that there was a need for a public library so that people could inculcate the habit of reading in their children.

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