Qatar National Library’s 2024 report highlights record visits, strong demand for physical books, and growing digital engagement while preserving the nation’s heritage and expanding global access to knowledge.
With digital screens now central to everyday life, the Qatar National Library (QNL) says the appeal of physical books remains strong in Qatar.
In its newly released 2024 annual report, Between Our Shelves: A Space For Everyone, the Library highlights its role as a cornerstone of the country’s cultural and intellectual landscape.
Over the past year, it recorded 1.19 million visits, nearly a third of Qatar’s population, each one, the report notes, reflecting “a choice to engage with knowledge and culture”.
The demand for books extended far beyond its walls. Some 403,615 physical books were borrowed in 2024, finding their way into homes and classrooms across the country.
“In a world navigating complex global challenges, we remained steadfast in our mission to provide equitable access to knowledge,” said QNL Executive Director Tan Huism.
“The Library welcomed a record 1.19 million visits – an extraordinary testament to the trust our community places in us. Whether through safeguarding Qatar’s documentary heritage, advancing digital literacy or leading open-access initiatives across the region, we continue to build a knowledge ecosystem that is inclusive, forward-thinking and deeply rooted in our national identity.”
The report shows how QNL is balancing tradition with innovation. While readers continue to value physical books, digital engagement has surged with 2.8 million digital resources downloaded last year, and the Library’s app, downloaded over 77,000 times, turned mobile devices into “portable libraries”, with users spending an average of two hours per session.
The Library also digitised 965,563 pages of Qatar’s cultural heritage, preserving the nation’s documentary history and making it available to audiences worldwide.
QNL’s impact extended into communities. Nearly 10,000 reading packages were delivered to homes, and its One Book, One Doha festival drew over 6,300 participants to celebrate Palestinian literature. In total, 92,700 people took part in events ranging from author talks to digital literacy workshops.
Education was another key focus. More than 12,800 students engaged in learning programmes beyond their curriculum, while 156 school visits brought library resources into classrooms. Through its Murshidi mentorship scheme, over 200 students were connected with professional mentors, and another 200 people received one-on-one writing support.
QNL also contributed globally through its open-access platform, Manara, which published 5,000 items and recorded over 281,800 views and downloads. It further supported 1,292 open-access publications, helping to remove barriers to research and knowledge sharing.
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