Abu Dhabi Media launches employee library

Visitors can see books in different languages adorning the wall. Employees of Abu Dhabi Media will be able to borrow books from the company library.

HE Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood announces the library launch on Wednesday. Delores Johnson / The National

ABU DHABI // As the country celebrates the Year of Reading, Abu Dhabi Media Company opens a library on its premises on Thursday.

Visitors to the company, which publishes The National, will see books in different languages from different genres adorning the wall. Employees of the company will be able to borrow books from the library.

H E Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, chairman and managing director of the company, said the launch coincided with the opening day of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

“We selected this day particularly because this is a special day for books,” he said. “This library will be for all our employees in Abu Dhabi Media. They will be able to read these books and improve their knowledge and thinking. We are starting this library today but it will be here forever at the entrance of Abu Dhabi Media.”

Mr Al Mahmood said the company wanted to make something visible with the UAE Year of Reading. “People should not be shy. They can come and read,” said Mr Al Mahmood.

Abdullah Al Mazroui, recruitment specialist, and Ali Al Blooshi, recruitment team leader, came up with the idea to promote reading in the company. “We found that reading will enhance the working environment and it make it much healthier,” said Mr Al Mazroui. “This is the first programme for the Year of Reading and there will be more in the next few months.”

Reading allows creativity to blossom and the goal is to inculcate the habit in all employees, said Mr Al Blooshi.

Nada Al Mansoori, director of human resources, said her department had proposed the initiative in an attempt to enhance employees’ knowledge and help them to develop their skills.