News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – Children at the 15th Al Ain Book Festival have the opportunity to immersed themselves in a vibrant atmosphere of creativity through a wide range of activities that go beyond handicrafts and drawing, taking them on a journey into the vast world of reading.
With this objective in mind, the Future Generation Mobile Library features as a notable activity of on the agenda for this year’s festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC).
The library is an initiative by the Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Future Generation Society, chaired by Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, designed to enhance creative reading and writing skills among children. Throughout the academic year, the mobile library travels to schools, welcoming students and offering them a comprehensive educational and recreational experience. The activity begins with an introductory tour inside the bus, which includes three dedicated rooms based on age groups: the ‘Emirates of Knowledge’, designed for children aged 11 to 16; the ‘Crown of Knowledge’ for children aged 8 to 10, and the ‘Buds of Knowledge’ for children aged 3 to 4.
Children on the bus can interact with stories and books appropriate for their age, participate in a variety of colouring activities that enhance their artistic culture, or join one of a series of educational game tours supported by storytelling presentations and an integrated screen display.
The library offers children the opportunity to subscribe to an annual membership for a nominal fee of AED100, which allows them to visit every week to select and read a story, as well as summarise it, which helps refine their literary skills. The programme also includes an initiative to recognise distinguished young readers who read and summarize 700 stories – 100 stories for each of the seven emirates of the UAE. Winners in the competition receive a certificate and an award of appreciation.
The Mobile Library bus does not only visit schools, it also participates in events, festivals, exhibitions, and visits parks, making it a vital part of the social fabric in Al Ain.
The Future Generation Mobile Library project embodies a comprehensive vision to empower children with access to knowledge in an innovative and enjoyable environment, which contributes to building informed and well-educated generations capable of engaging with the challenges of the future.
