DOHA: Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar yesterday opened its state-of-the-art library for the public. This new library will house one of the country's most extensive collections of books and material, with over 60,000 print volumes, nearly 5,000 DVDs, and more than 500,000 e-books available for students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the local community.
"We are very excited to welcome students, and the public, to our new home in Education City. This state-of-the-art facility was designed to support and facilitate our dedication to scholarship, research and public service; which is best reflected in the opening of our new library to the community in Qatar," said Dr Mehran Kamrava, Interim Dean of SFS-Qatar.
The library also includes individual study carrels, group study rooms, media editing rooms and a map room. The library is also equipped with two computer classrooms where workshops will be held to teach students library research techniques.
"I think we are offering a space that our students, faculty, and the public will love to use," said Frieda Weibe, Director of the Library. "We are proud of the facilities and resources we can offer not only to the Georgetown community, but also to our many public patrons and neighbours."
Between the university's relocation is scheduled for full completion in February of this year with a formal opening ceremony. The new Georgetown Qatar facility was designed by internationally-renowned architect firm Legorreta + Legorreta of Mexico City, and measures 360,000 square feet. The building features a three-story atrium, an auditorium seating 350, and 22 classrooms and lecture halls, in addition to the school's impressive new library wing.
© The Peninsula 2011
