Qatar National Library (QNL) is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its offerings while maintaining its commitment to traditional reading and community engagement. The initiative aims to complement rather than replace the library’s longstanding role as a hub for books, learning, and public interaction.
As AI reshapes study, research, writing, and information consumption, QNL has adjusted its programs to reflect these changes. Israa al-Rantisi, Librarian for Adult Programming in QNL’s Public Engagement Department, noted that the library has incorporated technology well before the recent surge of interest in AI. However, the current emphasis on AI has led QNL to expand its public programming to cover this emerging area extensively.
Since last year, the library has offered sessions designed to introduce users to AI tools, coupled with lectures that explore their benefits, limits, and broader cultural implications. Al-Rantisi emphasized that these efforts are intended to enhance QNL’s existing services without supplanting its traditional functions.
The initiative also responds to evolving user habits, particularly among younger audiences, and an increased demand for digital resources. QNL already provides a wide array of online materials, including databases, ebooks, and audiobooks, the latter two drawing significant interest from patrons. As Qatar’s national library, as well as a public and academic institution, QNL serves diverse audiences, offering resources that support academic research alongside programs tailored to children, young adults, and general adult users.
Beyond technology, QNL has shifted focus toward creating social spaces that encourage informal interactions and community building. Based on patron feedback, the library has expanded its community meet-ups to provide more casual opportunities for engagement outside traditional lecture formats. These gatherings now include a broad spectrum of interests, such as arts and crafts, chess, and gardening, alongside book discussions.
The library’s efforts to diversify programming aim to address the interests of various segments of society, reflecting QNL’s goal of inclusivity. One notable initiative is Write to Inspire: Books and Authors, an annual program that explores facets of writing and publishing in Qatar. The event has evolved over three editions—starting with emerging authors sharing their first publishing experiences, then focusing on local publishing houses, and most recently addressing the role of AI in the publishing process.
The latest edition included participants from across the publishing ecosystem, including authors, publishers, and representatives from Qatar’s Ministry of Culture. Discussions considered the potential regulatory frameworks for AI use in writing and publishing, highlighting the increasing intersection between emerging technologies and cultural production.
QNL’s approach illustrates a broader transformation in how libraries function, positioning the institution not only as a repository of knowledge but also as an active platform for dialogue on technology’s impact on information and culture.