Qatar National Library
The Qatar National Library is an impressive new building located in Education City, Doha. Education City is a new academic campus which hosts satellite campuses of leading universities and institutions including branches of Georgetown, Cornell and Northwestern.
Completed in 2017, the location functions as a national library, a research-level university library, and a central metropolitan public library equipped for the digital age. Qatar National Library contains Doha’s National Library, Public Library and University Library, and preserves the Heritage Collection. Located 6 metres (19.7 feet) below the main floor, the Heritage Collection is home to valuable texts and manuscripts related to the Arab-Islamic civilization including maps and letters tracing the history of Qatar, scientific texts and manuscripts from the golden ages of Arab and Persian civilizations, as well as a page from one of the first copies of the Koran. Overall, the library contains more than 1.5 million books.
The outside aesthetic is a cutting-edge diamond shape. Entering the building is through the center, rather than the perimeter of the structure. Inside, huge steel trusses and concrete columns create a vast open-plan triangular space. A column-free bridge connects the library’s main aisles. Shelves are made of the same white marble as the floors. Bookcases are stacked on different levels, creating a terraced effect. Library facilities include a media and study rooms, reading tables, exhibition displays, a circular conference table, and a large multipurpose auditorium. The library is designed to accommodate thousands of visitors.
Qatar Production Support & Film Crew
The Qatar National Library is open to filming. Permission to film will granted on a case by case basis and may require several levels of permitting authorities depending on the specific nature of the shoot. Allow plenty of lead time.
If you are looking for a Doha production service producer or fixer to help arrange permits for this location, contact us for names. Likewise, if you would like to save on travel costs and hire a Qatari film crew, contact us and we will connect you with the director, director of photography, videographer, cameraman, or still stills photographer that is best suited to the specific needs of your project.
Below images and above location notes are courtesy of OMA.
