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Ali Mohamed Al Matroshi
• Scholar Ibrahim bin Nassar bin Ibrahim Al Shemmari (died 2001).
• Abdullah bin Hamad bin Khalifa Bu Shehab (died 1982).
II - Libraries in Stage II (1958-1971):
The characteristic of this stage can be identified as follows:
The adoption of modern education by local government and the public was seen
as a way of improving the quality of life and building a prosperous future. Modern
education, through its curriculum, teachers and activities, paved the way for students
to study all sorts of sciences and arts, and to specialize in different branches of
knowledge. Therefore, it was necessary to make available the cultural material that
meets different needs, hones skills and fulfills the quest for knowledge.
An accelerated cultural movement began to emerge in the late 1960s with the
enhancement of the educational output, and it was evident in the different cultural
centers that mushroomed in the Emirate (modern schools, sports clubs, public
libraries, private libraries, local radio).
There was an increase in the number of educated people, which reflected positively
on the advancement of thought and cultural awareness. Educated people assumed
prominent social positions, and society moved towards the dissemination of education
and culture through the opening of public and school libraries.
Communication with the outside world increased, especially with those Arab
countries which enjoyed advanced education, publishing and media industries at the
time, mainly Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq and Kuwait. Such communications resulted in an
abundance and variety of printed materials suitable for different levels and ages; such
as books and newspapers, magazines and bulletins, in addition to a few audio and
visual materials. This led to gradual shifts in cultural tendencies and trends, because
of interaction with diverse cultural movements.
There was diversity of the founders of library, including individuals, organizations
and governments, as well as diversity in the types of libraries ranging from public,
private and school libraries to specialized and general libraries. Thus, libraries were
no longer confined to the exclusive use of their owners, but have rather been directly
used by the general public who now have free access.
The following are the most important libraries that emerged in stage II:
First: Private Libraries:
Several private libraries were established by religious scholars and students of Shari’a,
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