Dar al Atta’a Let’s Read Library and charity bookshop opened at the Oman Avenues Mall on Thursday. The library is now operational on the third floor of the mall.
The opening ceremony of the reading facility and charity bookshop was held under the auspices of H H Sayyida Huriah bint Asaad bin Tariq al Said. Senior management from the mall and Dar al Atta’a were present during the event.
The event also saw performances by 20 students of Muscat International School. Donning their favourite literary character costumes, the children spoke about their favourite books. In March this year, Oman Avenues Mall’s management had partnered with Dar al Atta’a, Oman’s inclusive charity organisation, to bring the ‘Let’s Read Library’ to Oman’s premier lifestyle destination.
The Dar al Atta’a Let’s Read programme, formed in February 2007, aims to promote reading by selling books, opening libraries, holding book drives and writing competitions. Gogi George, general manager, Development and Leasing, Lulu Group International said, “This is our way of showing appreciation to the great work Let’s Read Programme has been doing in the past few years, providing opportunities for children and adults alike. The Let’s Read Library offers a wealth of opportunities to explore and understand.”
Maryam Essa al Zadjali, chairperson, Dar al Atta’a said, “Our Let’s Read Programme is delighted to collaborate with Oman Avenues Mall and would like to thank the mall for giving us this space to operate from. We are immensely grateful that a mall of repute is appreciating our work. The Let’s Read Programme believes it is vitally important for children to develop a love for reading. Children need access to good books at reasonable prices to develop a passion for reading. When children choose their own books, they are much more motivated to read them.”
She added, “We would also like to extend invitation to schools. Teachers can arrange a class visit to the Let’s Read reading facility and bookshop anytime during the week by emailing [email protected].”
The books on display are available for purchase at subsidised rates, and the resulting sale proceeds would be reinvested into the development and management of the project. Children are welcome to donate their books to the Let’s Read bookshop at deposit boxes put up at key points in the mall, and inside the library too.
The entire fit out and project cost was undertaken by Oman Avenues Mall, while Dar al Atta’a will manage the book collections and management of the project under a two-year, renewable management programme.
The Let’s Read Bus can be found on the third floor of Oman Avenues Mall.
