'Future library' goes on display in Abu Dhabi

My Note: Sounds great, innovative and exciting book find through a vending machine. But, is it an experiment that has been tested, tried, and evaluated? Which e-books in which languages and which type of audience will be catered to? Needs more research [See, at the end of this post, the replies I am getting from Librarians about similar ventures: Cathy, Linda***].

The following is the news story:

Info courtesy: Ali Houissa, The Middle East & Islamic Studies Librarian, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Melanie Swan, March 03. 2010 UAE, The National Newspaper
The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage is modernising the emirate’s library service with the introduction of book vending machines. WAM
ABU DHABI // They will be places to borrow books and CDs, as well as catch up on the internet. But that is where the resemblance to the traditional library will end.

Abu Dhabi’s future libraries are likely to feature 24-hour, self-service facilities with vending machines stocked with books, CDs and DVDs, allowing people to take out and return them any time of the day or night.

There will also be Playstations and Xbox consoles for teenagers to play video games, as well as “lifestyle zones” where visitors can relax and listen to a CD or audio book.

The “future library” was on show at the 20th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair yesterday and is, according to Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach), a concept heralding “a new generation in libraries”.

Adach said the new libraries would use cutting-edge technologies and gadgets. Books, CDs and DVDs will be available in vending machines using radio frequency identification technology.

Juma’a al Qubaisi, the director of the National Library, said the new system “will spark the attention of all in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates”.

A range of materials will be available to library users, including periodicals, computer games, eBooks and audio books.

The project will be on display all week at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. mswan@thenational.ae

Go to the news story

On the same shelf:

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair underway

Library Culture on the Web

***Similar ventures reported to me:

info courtesy: Linda. We (the Marriott Library, University of Utah) have an Espresso book machine, which is a bit like a book vending machine. We are just getting started: http://tinyurl.com/yesncq5.

info courtesy: Cathy. If you are interested, please see our free book lending service called Library-a-Go-Go:

 Where Are America’s Librarians?