Sharjah library turns 100: How Ruler's home turned into a cultural landmark
The Sharjah Public Library serves as a monument to the emirate's forefathers literary and scholarly pursuits for 1 century. It started from the private collection of the then ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, in 1925.
The library now spans across six locations, with one sitting all the way out in the Khorfakkan mountains and one in the bustling and rich Cultural Square. Each location serves as a reminder of the library’s humble and proud beginnings.
The library has undergone about four different ownerships and in a century has multiplied its locations to six, one of which started in the Sheikh’s residence at Al Hisn Fort, which at the time was the political heart of Sharjah. While the fort now serves as a museum surrounded by modern multi story buildings at Cultural Square, it’s to modern history and the library’s history remains deeply intertwined.
In 1925, the private collection was formally named ‘Al Qasimia Library’, remaining in Al Hisn until 1956 when it was relocated to a purpose-built facility in Al Hisn Square. After that, the collection was given to Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, then to Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and finally to Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
The library’s operations began to shift significantly with Sheikh Sultan’s leadership. It was retained in Africa Hall’s upper floor in 1980 under the new name Sharjah Library, later relocated to the Cultural Center. In 1998, the library relocated again to University City, and finally, Sheikh Sultan inaugurated the state-of-the-art branch in Cultural Square in May 2011. It is as remarkable as other cultural and educational buildings in the emirate.
The library continues to have a single overarching purpose: to provide access to boundless knowledge in the form of ancient manuscripts, books, and even digital lending platforms, preserving culture and education, and sparking curiosity. In serving the researchers, students, and casual readers, the library has remained committed to inclusion, a goal it has been dedicated to for a century.
Marking the centennial
Beginning in 2025, the Sharjah Public Libraries network has started the centennial celebrations with a series of events centering on literature, cultural identity, and sustainability, offering poetry evenings, workshops on document restoration, and even Arabic calligraphy sessions.
In partnership with more than 13 government institutions and cultural organizations, the festivities are set to continue until the end of the year.
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