Al-Zawya Al-Hamra Library...a cultural beacon in the heart of the capital

It is the newest branch of Egypt's public libraries that works to provide cognitive and cultural services to the broad masses in various regions and governorates deprived of this service.

This project comes as a result of joint cooperation between the Egyptian government - represented by the Cairo Governorate, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Communications, and the Ministry of International Cooperation - and the Danish government, which contributed to the costs of construction, furnishing, and purchasing collectibles.

An important strategic location in the Al-Zawiya Al-Hamra area was chosen to establish this library, as it is surrounded by schools, youth centers, sports clubs, and high-density residential complexes, which include a diverse population fabric that is predominantly popular in nature, with a high percentage of children and youth, with a lack of cultural services and public libraries.

The library was built at the highest level in terms of construction and architecture. It was also equipped with the latest technical and technological devices and communication networks, and was provided with the necessary furniture for the various halls according to the standard specifications of international libraries. In addition to providing it with the latest productions of human thought in science and literature, including books, scientific references, audio-visual materials, and multimedia for children and adults.

Library objectives

* Providing knowledge and encouraging reading and information.
* Uncovering young creative talents in various fields.
* Developing thought and creativity and creating a creative dialogue between the library and the people of the region.
* Providing high-level cultural and artistic activities that contribute to creating a qualitative shift in the behavior of the surrounding community.
* Contributing to developing the capabilities of children and youth and meeting their educational, professional, social and even economic needs by organizing training courses in various fields.
* Creating a suitable climate for communication and the formation of new and good friendships and relationships between individuals and families based on common thought and group activity that the library provides  .

Library components

The library is located on an area of ​​4,200 square meters, of which the building occupies 2,000 square meters, and the remaining area is allocated to the Roman Theater, green spaces, cafeteria, and parking area.

The building consists of three floors other than the basement:

1- The ground floor includes:

  • Inquiries
  • Subscriptions and loans
  • View periodicals
  • Space for organizing art exhibitions

2- The first floor includes :

  • Information hall for children
  • Hobby and activities hall
  • Computer training hall

3- The second floor includes :

  • Languages ​​lab
  • Lecture hall
  • Cafeteria

Services provided by the library :-

  1. Providing access to more than 60,000 cultural materials, including the latest editions of books for adults and children, scientific references, audio and visual materials, and multimedia.
  2.  Organizing many specialized training courses and programs in the field of computers, languages, human development, and small industries at nominal prices, with the aim of raising the efficiency of youth and students and qualifying them for the labor market.
  3.  Organizing many artistic activities and workshops for children to uncover gifted people and develop their creative and innovative abilities, while providing the specialists and materials necessary for these workshops.
  4.  Receiving visitors from various quarters, as well as spending a cultural and artistic day and benefiting from the services and activities provided by the library.
  5.  Providing Internet service at a nominal price for members.
  6.  Accessing various Arab and foreign periodicals, newspapers and magazines.
  7.  Providing the opportunity for young creatives to display their creativity in various magazines.
  8.  Organizing concerts and distinguished singing, musical and theatrical performances on the library’s open-air stage.
  9.  Organizing seminars, intellectual meetings, and poetry evenings for major thinkers and poets.
  10.  Organizing art exhibitions for major artists and young people as well.
  11.  Organizing and hosting major cultural and scientific conferences and events in the library’s large seminar hall, which is equipped to the highest standard for this purpose.
  12.  Allowing external lending to members of a limit of five books for a period of 15 days, subject to renewal, and free group lending to schools, governmental cultural bodies and institutions.
  13.  The library provides an automated search service from within the library and also from outside it via the library’s website.

Membership:

Subscription fee (annual)

Family subscriptionIndividual membership (in Egyptian pounds)

For children aged (3-16) years20 pounds

For students from (16-30) years old30 pounds

For adults over 30 years old40 pounds

More than 60 years25 pounds

Children are given a 25% discount when the head of the family participates