A Message from Dubai's beach bookshelf

A Message from Dubai's beach bookshelf

On the last day before lockdown I stumbled upon the gift of a free library on the sand.

“Reading is a discount ticket to anywhere” I love this reminder that reads clearly at the beach library in Kite beach, Dubai. Dubai may not be known worldwide for its library culture, however, credit is due for the wonderful beach library initiative which can be seen standing beautifully behind the sunset on Kite Beach. I decided to take a trip to the beach just before lockdown, and stumbled across this beautiful library booth with wonderful and motivating quotes directed towards reading. Little did I know it would be my last trip to a library. And so, I was left to reminisce this small but simple initiative while sat at home over the last few months.

I remembered how I opened the different mini compartments it was fascinating to see many different books both in Arabic and English. The books have been donated as part of a community initiative and visitors are free to choose whichever book they like. I found a great read about Life’s Greatest lessons and lay down reading many chapters of the book under sun. What a free hobby I had just found, while listening to the waves in under a few hours. There is so much literature to choose from as well as academic books for students. Close your eyes and take a lucky dip you never know what book may change your life.

The Danish book of Happiness suggests that communities should come together to create initiatives such as community libraries in order to create more of a community vibe and feel. This is promoted throughout the book as a way to develop happiness among people in society.

Dubai has definitely got this right; only I wish
 more people knew about it. With more people using the
 service, more books will be read and shared as well as 
people mingling and exchanging stories and ideas. I
 especially love this idea because it is free, it promotes
 sustainable development and it being
outside and in nature. It greatly develops literacy skills
 and can be used by all ages. Since it opened the National newspaper reported positive reactions. "Residents and expats welcomed the idea and some actually donated their books to be put in the library,"

Around the world in not so sunny climates, other residents are embracing the initiative also. As The little free library reports “a 110-year-old cottonwood tree in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, needed to be removed, Sharalee Armitage Howard —a librarian, artist, and bookbinder—transformed it into an amazing Little Free Library. Now, instead of providing shade, the tree will share books.”

The whole idea is not only about books, but to promote kindness and connection in the community. Around the world, the idea has been a beacon of light which can touch all members of society regardless of class, background or age. If the beach is not desired by everyone we can start to create a library in our own communities. We can implement it in our own complexes, buildings, schools or other community settings. Exchanging books in multiple languages can help the community embrace reading and promote the message shining at kite beach “reading is our discount ticket to anywhere.” Trying not to spread Covid I spent my lockdown devising a plan of doing this in my own building. Now in Ireland, I have embraced this initiative and think I will start a community library.

Reading leads us on magical reflective paths of creativity.

One lesson from lockdown is keep visiting new places for inspiration as much as possible, you never know when it can come in handy.