The burgeoning number of libraries in the UAE – whether public facilities sited in the capital's beaches and parks, the 1.5 million books that will feature in the Mohammed bin Rashid Library when it opens next year or just in personal collections in ordinary homes – is definitely good news during the Year of Reading.
Despite the growing popularity of digital books, there remains a compelling case for a network of public libraries. As we have often argued on these pages before, they are necessary to foster a reading culture.
Research has shown that children will gain a fondness for reading if they grow up surrounded by books, both in public collections or on their parents' bookshelves. As Emad Abu Eid, head of Abu Dhabi Municipality's public libraries, told The National, parents have a responsibility to incorporate reading for pleasure in their children's daily schedules by acting as role models.
But the value of having libraries goes well beyond that. They also serve as a reminder that there will always be something else to learn, no matter how knowledgable and well-read we might already be. This idea was propounded by the Italian philosopher and writer Umberto Eco, who died late on Friday. His concept of the “anti-library” stressed the critical role that not-yet-read books play in our pursuit of knowledge. More than the collection of books we have already finished, it is the presence of unread books on our shelves that helps sheet home the message that there is far more still to learn, helping promote the importance of lifelong learning.
The idea that we should continue to explore new intellectual directions throughout our lives is a key point stressed by educational theorists such as John Dewey, who wrote in his book Experience and Education that “the most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning”. This is not only important for children but for everyone, regardless of age.
The American philosopher Eric Hoffer put it nicely in his book Reflections on the Human Condition: “The truly human society is a learning society, where grandparents, parents and children are students together. In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.” In a fast-changing world, the UAE will be well served by a well-read population.
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Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')
Italy 1
Bonucci (36')
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5