As the summer season winds down, Qatar National Library invites entrepreneurs, librarians, artists, families, and lifelong learners to a full month of programs spanning business mentorship, professional development, creative community meet-ups, and family connection. This month brings together first-time founders testing new business ideas, parents preparing children for the upcoming academic year, and community members returning to some of the Library’s most popular monthly gatherings.
The Library’s Seventh Summer Camp continues starting on 2 August and runs throughout the month, offering children and teenagers ongoing opportunities for learning, creativity, and engagement. Specialized tracks include entertaining activities for toddlers, STEM programs combining hands-on science and math for children and teenagers as well as art-making sessions.
Shifting focus to entrepreneurship on 15 August, the Library hosts "Startup 101: Turning Ideas into Startups with QDB.” This practical session, presented in partnership with Qatar Development Bank, is designed for anyone with a business idea who is unsure of how to get started. The session covers the entrepreneurial mindset, rapid market-validation techniques, and realistic early-stage funding options, leaving participants with clear next steps for testing their concept, understanding customer needs, and positioning their venture for sustainable growth. Attendees will also receive an overview of QDB’s incubation and acceleration programs and the wider support available to entrepreneurs in Qatar.
On 16 August, Qatar National Library, in its capacity as the IFLA MENA Regional Office, continues its "Librarians for Libraries" program aimed at developing librarianship skills across the region with a session on innovation in libraries and information services. The session explores how librarians can transform traditional services into innovative ones, equipping participants to discover modern tools for attracting users, adapt artificial intelligence capabilities for library services, and implement advanced ideas within their own libraries.
The Library's creative community returns on 18 August with "Art Majlis," a gathering for artists held on the third Tuesday of every month. Participants are invited to bring their own tools and projects, work alongside fellow artists, and exchange ideas and inspiration in a shared creative space.
Later that week, "Chess for All" resumes on 20 August as a weekly, informal gathering open to players of every age and skill level. Chess sets are provided, and newcomers are welcome to learn the basics alongside longtime players in an enjoyable environment for learning strategy, concentration, and problem-solving .
Family life and community take center stage on 25 August, when the Library hosts three separate gatherings. As part of the Ready for School Initiative, the workshop "You Are the First Teacher" equips parents, caregivers, and teachers of children aged 3 to 6 for the transition into kindergarten or school. The session provides practical tools for building a supportive home routine, managing new-environment anxieties, and strengthening communication between home and school.
That same evening, "Together on the Journey" offers parents and caregivers of people with disabilities a monthly meet-up, held on the last Tuesday of every month, to share experiences, exchange resources, and build connections in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Rounding out the day's events, "Cultural Mosaic: Let’s Talk Cultures" invites participants from diverse backgrounds to bring cultural objects and share traditions, customs, and personal experiences in a guided conversation about how culture shapes identity and daily life.
Returning to family programs on 27 August, Qatar National Library, in collaboration with the Family Consulting Center (Wifaq), presents "A Story from a Loved One: Family Cohesion and Storytelling Heritage." This event explores the role family stories play in strengthening relationships and passing values and heritage from one generation to the next. A panel of specialists will discuss the impact of storytelling on family life, complemented by an interactive program for children and parents. The Library will build on this event by launching a new series of Children’s Library Storytime sessions in which authors will read their stories to young audiences.
The month closes on 29 August with a Book Chat workshop featuring author Ruby Kapoor and her book Let’s Talk About Life, a handbook and journal for reflection and positive thinking. Through conversation and guided journaling activities, participants will explore personal growth, mindfulness, and gratitude, leaving with practical tools for a more intentional and meaningful life.
The Library encourages all community members to participate in these upcoming activities. For more information about the Library’s programs and to register for these events, please visit www.qnl.qa/ar/events or download the QNL app on the App Store or Google Play.
