DUBAI // The Vice President paid a surprise visit to a new library in Safa Park and was impressed with what he saw.
The Archive, a community space in the Al Wasl Road garden, caught the eye of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, also the Ruler of Dubai, when he visited last Friday.
“Liked the concept of the cafe & library at The Archive in Safa Park Gate 5,” he tweeted later. “ It’s a nice library in a great public park.
“The project is a distinctive and beautiful idea of our young people, which is the result of will, management and creativity,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “I wish our young people all success.”
The centre is a cafe and a library with books on art, culture, design and literature.
“Sheikh Mohammed came at 6.45pm, had a coffee and checked out some of the books,” said Sarah Malki, the centre’s librarian and programme manager. “He seemed to enjoy his time here.
“We are very happy that he came to visit us. It gives us a lot of support to carry on with our cultural activities.
“I hope this not only encourages more people to come here but encourages people to use libraries in general.”
The Archive, which opened officially in February, hosts a wide range of workshops and events, and has desk space where visitors can work on their laptops.
It is also popular with mums at the park with their children.