Qatar National Library Enhances its Digital Services with an Upgraded Mobile App

Qatar National Library Enhances its Digital Services with an Upgraded Mobile App

The Qatar National Library (QNL) app, introduced in 2023, has significantly improved library services by providing easy access to a wide selection of ebooks and audiobooks, expanding the library’s digital resources.

With 56,000 downloads in under 18 months, the app highlights QNL’s dedication to innovation and prioritizing user needs, according to QNL Executive Director Tan Huism.

Tan noted that the app was created to offer an additional way for members to access the library’s online services, and assured that its launch did not affect the number of physical visitors to the library.

She further explained that the app allows users to borrow any printed book in the library using their smartphones, without needing to go to the User Services Desk or self-borrowing stations. The app also lets users manage their accounts, including checking borrowed books, due dates, and renewing loans.

Commenting on the decision to develop a mobile app, Tan said: "The idea to launch the library app stemmed from a thorough study of our users' needs. The app embodies the library's commitment to embracing the latest technology, and its value is evident, with users spending an average of 1 hour and 12 minutes on it.”

QNL’s resources and services, both physical and digital, have seen high levels of engagement over the years, with more than 3.1 million physical books borrowed and over 29 million digital items downloaded since November 2017.

The library has also welcomed over 4.3 million physical visitors, with a record-breaking annual visitorship exceeding one million in 2023. Additionally, more than 1.3 million unique users have accessed the library’s other digital platforms, while Qatar Digital Library has attracted approximately 215,000 visitors.

The transition to digital platforms accelerated following the COVID-19 pandemic, with the library hosting 655 events in 2021, including 614 online, which drew over 28,000 participants.

During the pandemic, the Qatar Digital Library (QDL), the world’s largest collection of historical reports, letters, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and sound recordings about the Gulf, Arabian Peninsula, and surrounding regions, saw a surge in usage, with free access available to users globally. Additionally, QNL’s Digital Repository, which houses the library’s digitized materials, attracted 197,484 unique users during the pandemic.