First Little Free Library in Qatar - Umayr's Little Free Library!

Gardens are easier to find in Qatar, but, how many of you have seen Libraries in Qatar? Except for the libraries in schools there aren't many Libraries around here. For those of you who come from places where Public Libraries are the core of learning it would be hard to digest this. Instead of complaining lets get inspired by a little boy who brought the First Little Free Library to Qatar!

What's a Little Free Library?

As per the website its described as follows:

"It’s a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where neighbours share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share"

This is Umayr with his Little Free Library in Wakra. 

 

The location and details of Umayr's Little Free Library can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for "Free Library" (Pin your location, and set the radius to more than 100KM and do an exact search)

Umayr's Mom Yasmin was more than happy to answer our queries with regard to this interesting project. Read on....

When did you start this Library?
We opened the library to the public in April 2013.

What made you and your family embark on this Project?
When Khalid (Umayr's Dad) first moved to Qatar (with us still back in Canada), he got a sense that there were not many accessible public libraries.  Since we all love to read, he asked us to pack all the books and get them here.  So we brought with us several boxes full of books.
As we settled in and Umayr (and his older brother Saad) made friends with other kids in our compound, he started sharing his books with them.  People would regularly visit to borrow books from Umayr.  While we started lending out books, we thought of how we could do this efficiently.  We thought of starting a mini library with the usual check-in check-out system.

During this time I (Umayr's mom) started looking online for how to go about starting a private library, and stumbled upon the Little Free Library (LFL) project!  This was exactly what we wanted, and how Umayr's Little Free Library was born.
Once we launched the LFL, it was an instant hit!  Lots of kids from the compound and some adults thronged to it.


How do you register the Library? Can anyone start this anywhere?
Anyone can (and should :-)  start a LFL in their community. Registration is quite easy and with a nominal fee. On registration, the Library gets listed on the Little Free Library world map.
All details including tips on building the box for the books are available on the Little Free Library website.

We will be glad to answer any questions as well. We are hoping this idea will catch up and more LFLs will spring up in other parts of Qatar.


How did you set it up?
After registering the library, it took us some time to get the library box made locally here with the help of a carpenter.  We then painted it at home.  The compound maintenance people gladly built us a small pedestal outside our house for the box.

We then launched a Facebook page for the LFL, mainly to keep the patrons updated about the library. The page recently got 100+ "Likes!"


How does it work?
The library works on the simple idea of "Take a book, leave a book."  There is no need to become a member nor there is any fees. There are no checking out of books. It's purely based on honour system.
One doesn't even have to leave a book behind though it is encouraged.


What are the collection of Books you have?
The books keep changing all the time. A sampling of books we have had in the past are:
A Hatful of Seuss,

Guinness Book of World Records,
The Rainmaker,
The Help,
Kira - Kira,
Captain Underpants,
Bob's Busy Screwdriver,
DW rides again, and many more.


Is it only for Children?
It is not just for kids, though most books are for kids. Adults are more than welcome to drop by.


Can anyone and everyone from all over Qatar visit your library and borrow books? What are the timings if so?
Everyone is welcome to Umayr's Little Free Library! As the library is not manned, one can come any time of the day. It's always open!


Do they have to return the book they borrow?
Ideally, one would bring a book with them and leave it behind when taking a book from the LFL. Please note that the book they leave behind may be taken by someone else and the original donor may never see it again.
However, if you do not have a book to leave behind, you may just borrow one and return it at your convenience.
Finally, if you do not get a chance to return the book, that is fine too. We do not track the books!


Do you have a particular system with regard to keeping track of who borrows and returns?
Nope. Nothing is tracked. If you wish, leave a book behind when borrowing.


How does it work so far in Qatar especially a country where you hardly find any public or children’s Library except for one or two?
The library is doing quite good.  At evening time you can see kids from the compound gather around the Library.  Some people have contacted us on how to go about it.  Several people have donated books as well.  We're really glad to have this going.  Umayr is always excited about it.  Something he looks forward to checking every day on returning from school.



How do you deal with wear and tear and also irresponsibilities by some kids and adults in terms of taking care of the books?
The books do undergo wear and tear as can be expected. We try to keep them intact by taping or gluing from time-to-time. We hope with time the community will start doing this as well for the books they take.

What are the advantages of this Project?
It's an excellent, low-cost, and fun way of sharing the joy of reading. Good and low-tech way to encourage community engagement. These benefits were covered in a recent article in The Atlantic, which also featured Umayr's Little Free Library.

What are the drawbacks?
There aren't any drawbacks per se. There is very little risk of vandalism, especially in a safe country like Qatar.


What is the commitment required on your part when you register the Library and if you for some reason need to relocate or unable to continue this project what are you required to do?
We do tend to the library box regularly like keeping it clean, stacking the books nicely, rotating the books, and restocking it when someone doesn't return a book.
If we relocate, the library moves with us as it does require regular cleaning and restocking. In Umayr's words "I don't want to leave my library alone"

What have your little man as well as your whole family learnt from this project?

This has been a great experience for all of us, especially Umayr. He is stopped at school and asked how the library is doing.
Umayr's Little Free Library was also covered by local online news outlet, Doha News, which got encouraging comments:
It has become an avenue for us to give back to the community.

Rush360 Qatar Team sincerely thank Yasmin for taking the time to patiently answer our questions. We congratulate little Umayr for his valuable initiative and if any one of you get inspired and start a Little Free Library in your neighbourhood in Qatar do not forget to let us know. Rush360 will surely want to have you listed!

 Knowledge is better than wealth.

(Ali bin Abee Taalib)