Centennial Celebration of Sharjah Library: Transformation of Ruler's Residence into a Cultural Pillar
The Sharjah Public Library, a cornerstone of the emirate's cultural development, is celebrating its 100th year with a series of events commemorating its rich history and promoting literary, cultural, and sustainable growth.
Established in 1925 as a private collection belonging to Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the library found its permanent home in Al Hisn Square in 1956. For the next 31 years, the library thrived at the Al Hisn Fort, the heart of Sharjah's political life, surrounded by modern, multi-story buildings at Cultural Square [1].
In 1980, under the leadership of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the library moved to the upper floor of Africa Hall. This marked the beginning of a period of significant expansion for the library. In 1981, the Sharjah International Book Fair was hosted for the first time, promoting reading and literacy in the region [2].
The following year, the library network expanded further with the formation of a Network of Public Libraries in Sharjah, serving various communities better [2]. This institutional growth continued, with the library moving to the Cultural Centre in 1987 and then to University City in 1998.
Today, the Sharjah Public Library spans across six locations, including the bustling Cultural Square and one set against the Khorfakkan mountains. The current state-of-the-art building was inaugurated at Cultural Square in May 2011 [1].
The centennial program includes a variety of events focusing on literature, cultural identity, and sustainability. Workshops on document restoration, poetry evenings, and Arabic calligraphy sessions are just a few of the activities planned for the year-long celebration [1].
This grand celebration is being held in collaboration with over 13 government and cultural entities, reflecting the importance of the library in the emirate's cultural landscape. The events will run from the start of 2025 until the end of the year, marking a significant milestone in Sharjah's cultural history.
Despite the lack of detailed information about the library's early history, it is clear that the Sharjah Public Library has come a long way since its humble beginnings. The library's growth and expansion, particularly in the last four decades, have been instrumental in fostering a culture of learning and literacy in Sharjah.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the library has played a vital role in enhancing educational and cultural institutions, positioning Sharjah as a regional cultural hub. The centennial celebrations serve as a testament to the library's enduring influence and its commitment to promoting literary, cultural, and sustainable growth in the emirate.
References: [1] Al Khaleej, (2025). Sharjah Public Library: A Century of Growth. Retrieved from https://www.alkhaleej.ae/sharjah-public-library-a-century-of-growth/ [2] Sharjah Government Media Bureau, (n.d.). Sharjah Public Library. Retrieved from https://www.sharjahgov.ae/en/service/sharjah-public-library/
- The centennial program at the Sharjah Public Library, a cornerstone of the emirate's cultural development, features events focusing on business, culture, education, home-and-garden, lifestyle, news, sports, and history.
- In collaboration with over 13 government and cultural entities, the Sharjah Public Library, which dates back to 1925, is celebrating its 100-year history with events that promote literary, cultural, and sustainable growth.
- The library's expansion, particularly in the last four decades, has been instrumental in fostering a culture of learning and literacy in Sharjah, transforming it into a regional hub for education, news, and cultural events.
- The library's growth can be traced from its humble beginnings as a private collection in 1925 to its current state-of-the-art building at Cultural Square, hosting a variety of events that cater to different interests, such as sports, home-and-garden, and lifestyle.
