All it takes to print a few letters represent the address of digital Qatar Library on the international information network “Internet” and then we can access to the unique cultural wealth of various countries and cultures . the efforts of partnership that began in 2012 between Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and the Qatar National Library with the British Library, resulted in the launch of the electronic portal of the digital Library of Qatar in November 2014.
Qatar Digital Library is a rich and varied digital archive of more than half a million historical document that is available online and free of charge for the first time, provide an opportunity of access to the treasures of knowledge, science and modern history of the State of Qatar and the GCC and the surrounding area as well as to carry on the Arab and Islamic sciences through scripts , Maps, photographs and other important references. As a matter of fact this growing archive covers modern history and culture of the Gulf and wider region, available online for the first time
For whom the Qatar digital library was created ? Answered by organizers: “Our goal is to provide a global supplier freely available to all those who have a general interest in the history of Gulf and to academic researchers who conduct research to open up new horizons.”
And to shed light on the most important of the contents of the library of digitized materials in English and Arabic, we mention some of it included on its website:
- about 500 maps, charts and diagrams of the Arabian Gulf and the surrounding region.Among maps in Qatar digital Library is the map of Claudius Ptolemy developed in 1487, which speaks of the Arabian Peninsula.
- A selection of photographs, postcards and other publications, as well as sketches, drawings and paintings and water colors, as well as etchings and engravings, graphics.
- A selection of audio recordings of 200 of shellac discs recorded in Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq between 1920 and 1940.
- records of India Office covering the period from 1763 to 1951, and includes files of records from political resident at Bushehr and records of Bahrain agency.
These materials and others constitute a wealth of the portal of Qatar digital library , on which the organizers say , it ill be provided always with other heritage groups from both Qatar digital library or through future partnerships. While some voices consider that the demand for regular libraries is not widespread in the technology and the digital age , so Qatar National Library seeks to mix the technology with the world of libraries through the digital portal. A mixture will stimulate those who are interested of it to come and be acquainted of it .
organizers of the Qatar digital library see that it is consistent with the vision of Qatar 2030, because it supports the idea of moving from the economy based on oil and gas to an economy based on a knowledge. That vision launched by His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, in 2013 , marks a new stage in the history of Qatar inspired by balancing between the accomplishments that achieve economic growth and between its human and natural resources .the vision aims to transform Qatar into an advanced country capable to achieve sustainable development.
Perhaps it is useful to refer to the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 :
First: Economic Development, which seeks to develop a competitive and diversified economy capable of meeting the needs, and to ensure a high standard of living in the present time and in the future.
Second: Social Development, which aims to develop a fair and safe community based on high moral, social welfare and able to cope and interact with other communities.
Third: Human Development, which seeks to develop and grow the population of the State of Qatar to be able to build a prosperous society.
Finally, environmental development intending to environmental management in away to ensure that there is harmony between economic and social development and environmental protection.
In terms of economic development, it is an essential element in the Qatar National Vision 2030, it serves as an engine of evolution, by providing more opportunities and a better life for Qataris.
It is clear from this vision that the State of Qatar, which has seen huge shifts in a few years and in various fields, seeking to devote sustainable development by drawing a conscious strategic policy to the requirements of present and future and its foundation is the development. This means that it is moving towards the future at a steady pace.
Translated by: Mudhaffar al-Kusairi
Rawabet Center for Research and Strategic Studies