Dubai: Shelves of dusty, dog-eared books and a busy silence unique to libraries should not be considered a thing of the past, Gulf News readers say.
The launch of the Knowledge without Borders Project under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, heralds a new dawn for lost bookworms.
The concept of a library for every home has appealed to people around the UAE. They feel all communities can adopt the initiative. According to Vanessa Avila, a Filipina expatriate and Abu Dhabi resident, a drive of this nature is essential for the 21st century's computer-dependent youth. "Nowadays, children prefer the internet and computer games to books, which is a shame," said Avila. "Personally, I have never had the opportunity to be a library member, even though I love reading."
Arnel Ramos, an engineer and father-of-two, said his love for reading resonates in his children. "I still have my old library card from my college years," said Ramos.
"I think it is very important to be able to know you have a reliable place to go to for information or to unwind."
Right balance
According to Ramos, "finding the right balance" between technology and traditional methods of acquiring information is the greatest challenge.
For Noorin Ansari, a 23-year-old business developer and Sharjah resident, "books provide a sense of satisfaction", that is hard to come by with computers.
By Sanya Nayeem, Community Journalist