Doha: Visitors aged 60-year and above will be allowed to the Qatar National Library only if they have taken two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The library allows visitors by appointments, but, only those between the age of 13 years and 60 years.
“Because your safety and the safety of our staff is our top priority, we are reopening with measures in place to help reduce the risk of COVID-19. These precautions are in line with the recommendations from the Qatar Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization,” the Library said on its website.
“People over the age of 60 will be allowed into the Library only if at least one week has passed since they took their second dose of the vaccine,” it added.
The visitors also should have a green status on the Ehteraz app, temperature of no more than 37.8 degrees Celsius and wear a face mask or shield.
The Library allows only 200 people in the building during each time slot (8am to 10am, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm, and 3.30pm to 8pm), Sunday to Thursday. The Library is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
Also visitors at the Library are obliged to maintain social distancing, stand only on designated stickers whenever queuing.
“Social gatherings of more than 10 people are strictly restricted in the Library and will be monitored by our security. All reading carrels may be used on a first-come, first-use basis, with only one user inside each carrel,” said the Library.
“To borrow books, you need to request them in advance at least two working days before the time slot you’ve booked for your Library visit. You will need your Library ID to self-checkout these books,” it added.
Also the Heritage Library has reopened and Heritage Reading Room is also available to users for selected heritage and reference materials (requests are processed on a case by case basis). Heritage Library materials are accessible primarily by requesting a digital copy via email ([email protected]).
“If the requested item has not yet been digitized, we will let you know when it is available,” said the Library.
Public group tours are now available in the Library, including the Heritage Library Exhibition Area. Visitors interested in public tours also ahould register online to be allowed into the Library building.
The Children's Library and the Young Adults' Area will remain closed until further notice. For their safety, pregnant women are not allowed into the Library during the present phase of reopening.
