Qatar National Library (QNL) is unveiling its brand identity today, inspired by the iconic architectural design of its new home that is currently under construction in Education City.

QNL’s new logo is emblematic of the library’s state-of-the-art facilities and use of the latest technology to bridge the nation’s past and future through knowledge-sharing.

The logo symbolises the philosophy and rich heritage found in Qatar’s unique and evolving culture, while the window-like feature conveys a sense of transparency, clarity and simplicity: always accessible and supporting QNL’s users to make new discoveries. Over the past week, QNL has been teasing the public with glimpses of its new logo on social media platforms, without revealing its actual identity. Instead, the library has captured the essence of its vision through a series of cryptic phrases and descriptions, leaving the public guessing and interest mounting.

QNL’s project was announced in 2012 by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Under the guidance of QF, the library provides free access for students, educators, researchers and the wider community in Qatar.

The QNL building is currently under construction, but many of its resources are already publicly available online, ranging from popular, newly published material to historic and rare documents.

QNL’s project director Dr Claudia Lux said, “Qatar National Library is supporting Qatar on its journey from a carbon-based economy to a knowledge-based economy by providing information resources to students, researchers and the community in Qatar. Resources include freely offering a vast collection of online databases to all residents of Qatar. QNL’s new logo has been inspired by the unique architectural design of its new building, which symbolises the library’s vision of bridging with knowledge Qatar’s heritage and future.”

Dr Lux pointed out that QNL’s growing online collection is already attracting large numbers of the community.

The brand launch coincides with the 20th annual conference and exhibition of the Special Libraries Association being held in Qatar this week. The event brings together some of the world’s leading practitioners and experts in the field of librarianship.

Many high-profile guests and dignitaries from all over the world have viewed QNL’s impressive Arab and Islamic Heritage Collection.

Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali al-Thani founded the Heritage Collection in 1979, and it now provides an unparalleled array of historical sources about Qatar and the region. The collection includes writings by travellers and explorers who visited the Gulf region over the centuries, Arab manuscripts, historical maps and globes, as well as scientific instruments and early photography.

The Heritage Collection also features up to 2,400 precious manuscripts, among them Mushafs (Holy Qur’an) and Arabic literature, with a primary focus on sciences such as geography, astronomy and mathematics. These treasured antiquities are complemented by artefacts from the early European reception (early prints in Latin from the 15th to 17th c) such as the famous Qanon of Avicenna (Ibn Sina).

QNL’s heritage material, documenting a wealth of Arab and Islamic history, will be featured through the library’s Qatar Digital Library Portal, which will encompass other valuable digital content drawn from archives about the Gulf region and Islamic civilisation.

In addition to book discussion events and training sessions, QNL is currently offering free online access to its vast collection of online resources, including the latest bestsellers, classical works, concerts, top academic journals and documentaries.

QNL’s registered members can access a complete list of online resources by visiting http://www.qnl.qa/find-answers/online-resources. Anyone who lives in Qatar and has a valid Qatari ID/Residence Permit is eligible for free library registration. To register, visit https://library.qnl.qa/selfreg

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QNE

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