Abu Dhabi, 25 July 2020:  Following the Cultural Foundation’s reopening to the public last month, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has resumed book lending services at Abu Dhabi Children’s Library in the Cultural Foundation. Other Library facilities remain otherwise closed to the public.

As part of the larger campaign of events targeting youth under the banner CulturAll Youth launched by DCT Abu Dhabi, the Library will also introduce a programme of online live classes and workshops, which are normally offered on the premises. The interactive classes will be offered free of charge and held on Zoom, starting from Sunday 26 July 2020.

“In this time of uncertainty and social distancing, more than ever children need the opportunity to learn, create and exercise their imagination,” said Reem Fadda, Director of the Cultural Foundation. “We at the Cultural Foundation and the Abu Dhabi Children’s Library are committed to reaching and serving our audiences regardless of the strenuous circumstances we are all facing. For us, the safety and mental wellbeing of our community is paramount and we know that culture and creativity is an important outlet in this regard. Therefore, we are so pleased to be able to resume book lending services and offer online classes so the younger generation may continue to expand their horizons. The adaptation of our regular arts and educational programming into the virtual realm will ensure that children may express themselves and take comfort in a creative outlet.” 

Onsite Book Lending Services 
In this interim period, only book borrowing and returning services will be available. No children are allowed in the Library, but parents can use their child’s Library Card to borrow and return books.

Borrowing books is free of charge, but registering for a library membership is necessary. This can be done through the website: www.culturalfoundation.ae/en/childrenslibrary. 

Lending Services operation hours: 
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
Friday: 2 pm – 7 pm 

Patrons must note that books loans made before the temporary closure of the Library have automatically been extended, but now must be returned by 30 August.

The Cultural Foundation is currently hosting three exhibitions in its gallery spaces - The Red Palace, Common Ground and the children’s exhibition Step into a Story – which can all be visited now.

All necessary precautionary measures and guidelines have been set in place for the safety of the community, including regular sterilisation and sanitisation of all books and facilities.

Live Online Classes
The Abu Dhabi Children’s Library is also bringing its offerings online with live virtual classes of its popular workshops and programmes such as Storytelling, Tinker Tots & Maker Mums, Creature Space and assorted art sessions. The interactive classes, which normally take place at the Library, will be held on Zoom and will be offered free of charge on a first come, first serve basis. The monthly programme will be made available to the public on our website and social media. 

Classes will be offered daily and cater for different age groups ranging from 2-14 years old.

Online E-Library
The Abu Dhabi Children’s Library also provides an online library where patrons can explore a world of e-books and multimedia, in addition to a video library of bite-sized sessions of the Library’s popular programmes and workshops.