Get inspired at Ithra’s Library: a dynamic place of learning and activity. Our library is designed to foster individual and collaborative learning while nurturing a love of reading, discovery and the pursuit of knowledge.
We have one of the largest public libraries in the region, with a collection of over 270,000 titles in Arabic and English intuitively arranged across four floors and covering an extraordinary range of themes, topics and genres. We have something for everyone, whatever your age and interests.
Ithra Library has a wide array of electronic materials in Arabic and English, including audio books and e-books, with more resources to come. The library’s collection is 60% Arabic and 40% English and is available to be enjoyed in the library or at home.
In addition to the best workspaces in the Eastern Province, the library also hosts book signings and special talks by prominent local and international guests, story times for children, literary competitions and oral history sessions.
Ithra Library is the cradle of the iRead national reading competition, a flagship Ithra program that has attracted more than 50,000 participants from all educational levels since 2014.
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Find the best books for you this summer to read and explore:
Library Catalog
Discover inspiration among our collection of 240,000 print and digital material, in both Arabic and English. Search by author, title or keyword.
Library Account
Manage your library account here. Renew book loans, check when books are due and keep your details up-to-date
E-Library (OverDrive)
Access thousands of e-books and audiobooks here in both Arabic and English. Borrow them digitally and read them on your tablet, phone or home PC.
Facilities
Second Floor
The Children’s and Young Adult Library, multimedia section and main presentation area are located on the library’s second floor. The Children’s Library has been designed for our youngest readers and created to make their introduction to reading memorable. The library’s multimedia section comprises a vast collection of audio books, DVDs, and CDs, including language courses, self-development books, travel guides etc. The main presentation area is the site for special events such as book signings and workshops. Past events have included US entrepreneur Arianna Huffington, art historian Cheryl Finley, Kuwaiti authors Saud Al Sanousi and Buthaina Al-Eissa and Emirati author Ali Al-Omaimi.
Third Floor
Ithra Library’s main entrance is located on the third floor and includes a welcoming reception area, displays for library collections and a café that offers a pleasant area to relax and socialize with other library patrons and visitors.
The extensive adult fiction collection is on the third floor.
Fourth Floor
The Library’s vast non-fiction collection sits on the fourth floor. It comprises over 75,000 books on a broad range of subjects, including philosophy, psychology, religion, science, technology, home management and the arts.
Access Idea Lab from the library via this floor.
Fifth Floor
The fifth floor offers a quiet study and research area. It also houses the library’s geography, history, biography and reference collections, and hosts public workstations, as well as laptops and tablets for on-site use.
Membership
Membership
You get extra benefits with your Ithra membership card. Use your membership card to borrow books and other materials from the library.
Enjoy book borrowing privileges at the Ithra Library:
o Members can check out up to five books at a time.
o Members aged 13 – 17 can borrow books from the 3rd level with adult approval.
o Kids up to age 12 can borrow an unlimited number of books from the kid’s library.
o All members can reserve exclusive and private access to the Ithra Library meeting rooms.
o Members can download over 500,000 books from Ithra E-library.
Find Resources
The library has an extensive catalog of resources across print, multimedia and electronic formats. The library’s home page is an easy tool to find information and resources, as well as discover new interests to spark ideas, open minds and unlock potential.
Borrowing Policies
Borrowing privileges come with your Ithra membership card, which allows you to check out books and resources from the library. Users can borrow up to five items for two weeks, renewable once. Ask at any public service desk in the library for more information about our circulation policies.
Self-Check Out/In Machines
Please see a staff member, who will be happy to show you how to use the self-check machines that enable you to borrow and return items yourself