Dubai Municipality has launched the ?Reading on Beach? initiative, which involves the setting up of solar powered library kiosks  on public beaches in Dubai to encourage people to read and make reading a lifelong habit. Beach goers can borrow books from these library kiosks at Dubai beaches as they soak up some sun.

The project aims to encourage people to read, in line with the initiative of UAE leadership to make 2016 the Year of Reading.

This is a great way to encourage people to read ,enrich their knowledge and also to demonstrate the use of solar lighting.  The initiative aims to bring people and books closer and entertain people who come to beaches in a unique way.

The book cabinets are uniquely designed to attract beach and holidaymakers whether by day or night, as beach libraries are equipped with solar lighting system.

The first set of library units will be installed at the Kite beach in Umm Suqueim and Al Mamzar Beach - the beaches that attract hundreds of thousands of people annually.

From these library units, bookworms can borrow the books during their beach breaks and enjoy a cheerful read. They will have to return the books when they wind up from the beach.They can also take a stroll on the beach while reading the book and then return it to any other library unit on the beach. All this free –for reading.

These libraries will provide a selection of titles in English and Arabic. There will be a section for children's books as well. The collection in these beach libraries will help readers know more about the culture, history and traditions of the UAE.

These library kiosks have been designed  in a nice way and each library unit will have its own standalone solar power system.

It is a complementary service to the Smart Palm initiative. Launched in Dubai's parks and beaches, the Smart Palms provide free WiFi service and charging units for electronic gadgets to visitors from a solar-powered palm tree-shaped technology hub. At the beach, they also announce weather warnings.

Source : Gulf News , Khaleej Times , DEWA