In continuation of its efforts to embody the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and implement the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to involve the youth in improving government services, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) launched the ‘My Book is Yours’ initiative across all Dubai Public Library branches as part of its commitment to developing projects that contribute to achieving customer satisfaction and enhancing the welfare of society as a top priority in Dubai and the UAE.

The ‘My Book is Yours’ initiative is part of the Authority’s initiatives aimed at improving the services provided in its public libraries based on the proposals of students participating in the second edition of the Young City Makers Championshipinitiated by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to involve the youth in improving government services and implementing initiatives that would keep pace with their future aspirations.

Madyah Almaheirbi, Acting Manager of Umm Suqeim Library, commented: “The ‘My Book is Yours’ initiative comprises the public, institutions and publishing houses donating books that are then sorted according to Dubai Public Libraries’ policies and displayed on shelves designated for the initiative, allowing the public to obtain them for free. Through this initiative, we aim to enrich the collection of knowledge materials at libraries and enhance our cooperation with the public and the authorities concerned with culture and publishing in order to benefit society members through the gifting and exchange of books.”

Almaheirbi added: “This initiative contributes to making culture available everywhere and for everyone as well as stimulates the active participation of all society members, which is in line with one of the sectoral priorities of our strategic roadmap through which we seek to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.”

The Young City Makers Championship is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and aims to engage with school students aged 11 – 18 to improve government services, design future services, and highlight their aspirations for the provided services. This is part of His Highness’ keenness to provide an opportunity for the youth to contribute in all fields, including government services.

The ‘My Book is Yours’ initiative is part of the five initiatives implemented by Dubai Culture to keep pace with the youth’s future aspirations regarding public library services. In December 2019, as part of the Young City Makers Championship, Dubai Culture organised a workshop on ‘Membership Service of Public Libraries’ at Al Safa Art & Design Library through which the Authority introduced students to the service, as well as its most important challenges, to derive solutions and launch initiatives under the service’s umbrella. Dubai Culturereceived 16 ideas to improve the services provided by Dubai Public Libraries as well as proposed future services.

In addition to the ‘My Book is Yours’ initiative, Dubai Culture implemented the Reading Youth Club that presented a cultural dialogue to discuss a book in one of the library’s halls and invited the youth and students to participate. The Authority also implemented the ‘Find Your Book’ initiative in February 2020, which allows the public to select books to purchase through the Dubai Public Library app to facilitate the process of purchasing books.