ABU DHABI, March 29th, 2014 (WAM) -- The Dubai Public Library owned and managed by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the emirate?s dedicated authority for culture, arts, and heritage, has launched ?Alwan Spring Programme,? a reading initiative aimed at encouraging and promoting a genuine appreciation for the written word.
Organised between March 30th-April 10th, 2014, the ?Alwan Spring Programme,? which derives its name from the Arabic word for ?colour,? will feature an extensive repertoire of activities, held in collaboration with numerous government entities. Open to the community, free-of-charge, the ?Alwan Spring Programme? will be held at Al Twar Public Library, Al Rashidiya Public Library, Hor Al Anz Public Library, Al Safa Public Library, Al Mankhool Children?s Library, Umm Suqeium Electronic Library, and Hatta Public Library. Dubai Public Library will also mark the annual ?World Book Day? celebration on April 2, with a reading competition. To participate, visitors can borrow as many books as they like, and summarise each book in five lines. The reading competition will run from March 30 until April 6, and the winner of the best summary will be announced on April 10. Winners stand to receive an iPad. Abdulrahman Ibrahim, Head of Dubai Public Library, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said, "Since its inception, the Dubai Public Library has been committed to providing a nurturing and fostering environment that emphasises on the importance of reading, while equipping participants with imperative life skills, especially among children from a young age. Each quarter, the libraries host an array of activities that are aimed at driving interest in reading and writing among children, enabling them to contribute to our evolving literary fabric. "From learning the precautions that must be taken when riding cycles in a seminar by Dubai Police, to understanding the need to rationalise consumption of electricity and water by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, the ?Alwan Spring Programme? will address a cross-spectrum of topics. The Dubai Ambulance Corporation will provide little ones with vivid insights into first aid, while the Dubai Health Authority will showcase healthcare tips. Dubai Courts will host a workshop on the legal system of Dubai; while storytelling sessions will take the centrestage with recitations of a number of renowned stories. The Dubai Public Library is regarded as a cornerstone of the city?s cultural fabric. It has facilitated the collection of, and public access to, Dubai?s literary heritage and collections, developing audiences by fostering an understanding and appreciation of literary culture, and encouraging access to these resources through efficient services and state-of-the-art technology. Fifty years after their inception, they continue to remain the definitive meeting ground for members of the community and an incubator for information.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2014.
