I can think of few more ignorant, lazy, and irritating tropes than the so-called “death of libraries”. It’s a theme almost always pedaled, in my experience, by those with little knowledge or appreciation of reading, books, or culture, and is almost always based on an outdated understanding of the complex roles played by libraries in any society’s culture. Such thoughts were in my mind as I was guided around The House of Wisdom in Sharjah by its director of operations, Mohamed Boufarss.

The building, designed by Foster + Partners, opened in December 2020. It’s the embodiment of a commitment by the Emir of Sharjah and his daughter, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, to put culture at the center of the local community’s life, and one of many large investments they have made to promote reading and literature. The vision is brilliantly executed in The House of Wisdom, a place that is part library, part meeting place, part exhibition space, and part community center. On the day I was there, the space was filled with young people enjoying the books, restaurant, coffee shop, and exhibits. Technology is everywhere, with state-of-the-art discovery tools, free access to reading devices, 3D printing labs, even an Espresso Book Machine.

The House of Wisdom is not only a thrilling, beautiful, and perfectly executed building. Its vision is at least as beautiful and thrilling – to make the discovery of ideas and reading easier for everyone and to celebrate them in a place of wonders.