Qasr Al Watan Library sits at the heart of Abu Dhabi's working presidential palace, Qasr Al Watan, preserving and sharing the region's knowledge and scholarship.
Spread across 22 rooms, Qasr Al Watan Library holds more than 40,000 titles that have been built up over three decades. Among its rarer holdings are a French-Arabic dictionary commissioned by Napoleon, a 17th-century Latin edition of the Arabic grammar text Al-Ajurrumiyya and a 19th-century travel account of Arabia by explorer William
...Location
Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi
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Frequenstly asked questions about Qasr Al Watan Library
Is the library included in a general admission ticket to Qasr Al Watan?
Yes. The library is one of the public spaces you can visit as part of exploring Qasr Al Watan, alongside areas like the Great Hall and Presidential Flag Pole. There's no need to book anything separately to walk through and browse.
Can I borrow books from the library?
Yes. UAE citizens and residents can register for free membership through Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism, which allows borrowing from the collection as well as remote access to the library's digital resources.
What is the House of Knowledge?
The House of Knowledge is next to the library, and hosts the Golden Ink Exhibition – a display of rare Arab and Islamic manuscripts exploring the history of calligraphy, illumination and other traditional manuscript arts.
Is there an entry fee for the library?
No, entry to the library itself is free, and it's open to visitors of all ages.
What kind of collection does the library hold?
The library holds tens of thousands of titles built up over 35 years, spanning history, the arts, humanities and governance, plus a number of rare manuscripts and books dating back centuries.