Sharjah Library Turns 100: From Fort Origins to Cultural Landmark
Ashwini Gambo
This year, Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) commemorates an extraordinary centennial milestone, tracing its roots back to 1925, when Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi founded it as the Al Qasimia Library, housed in Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn). What began as a private collection within the walls of a ruling emir’s residence has grown to become a multi-branch cultural institution that spans the emirate.
Over the decades, SPL navigated through a series of relocations: from the fort until 1956, followed by moves to Al Mudheef in the fort courtyard, Africa Hall, the Cultural Centre, and University City, before finally establishing its modern, state-of-the-art headquarters at Cultural Square in 2011 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. Today, the library network includes six branches reaching audiences as far-flung as Khorfakkan, nestled amid dramatic mountain backdrops
To celebrate 100 years of stories, SPL launched a year-long centennial programme in 2025, inaugurated with ceremonies at Sharjah Fort in January. Events span workshops on document restoration, poetry recitals, and Arabic calligraphy, structured around themes such as Literary Beginnings, Cultural Civilisation, Horizons of Literature and Poetry, and Cultural Sustainability
SPL’s collection has grown exponentially from manuscripts and rare books to a vast digital corpus exceeding 15 million resources, including e-books, audiobooks, journals, and maps in over 10 languages Its mission remains unwavering: to spark curiosity, preserve heritage, and provide inclusive access to knowledge for all.
As Sharjah celebrates this historic occasion, the library stands as a beacon of cultural continuity, having journeyed from a fort’s private collection to a modern hub of learning anchoring the emirate’s commitment to education, heritage, and community for a century and beyond.
