Sulaymaniyah public library to be reopen after extensive renovation

SULAYMANIYAH — The Sulaymaniyah Public Library is set to reopen its doors next week after undergoing a comprehensive renovation, and will offer visitors an updated space and new features.

The renovations include the addition of the Sheikh Nouri Sheikh Salih Reading Hall, named after the renowned 20th-century Kurdish poet.

Renovations include modern heating and cooling systems, comfortable seating arrangements, and improved lighting to enhance the reading experience. Additionally, the entire building has been refurbished, addressing previous issues like roof leaks.

“We are finalizing the last details and next week, the library will be ready to welcome readers, visitors, and researchers,” said library director Alan Raouf. The library boasts a collection of over 150,000 resources in Kurdish, Arabic, Persian, and English.

The library’s outdoor garden has also undergone a redesign with a new lawn that administrators hope will make for an inviting space.

Raouf noted that the library primarily caters to individuals seeking research materials, particularly university and college students. While the library saw fewer than 15,000 visitors in 2023, with females making up the majority, it remains a vital cultural hub within Sulaymaniyah governorate, which alone houses 24 public libraries with over one million resources combined.

Established in 1948, the Sulaymaniyah Public Library has served the city for over seven decades. Since its relocation to its current location on Salim Street in 1965, it has undergone various renovations and expansions, with this latest project aiming to further enhance its role as a center for learning and cultural engagement.

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