Welcome

Welcome to Qaumee Kuthubukhaanaa — National Library.

Qaumee Kuthubukhaanaa is a government organisation, which is comprised of a national library and a public library. The public library service is divided into two sections. The public library service for children (below 13 years) is located in Maafannu at Children's Multimedia Library premise. The public library service section that caters adult and children above 12 years is located at the National Library in Museum Building A

The library consists of an impressive collection that caters to people from all walks of life.

Library Rules

Respect

Patrons should give due respect to the library staff and good conduct and quiet behavior should be adopted in the library.

Patrons should respect the rules and regulations set forth for borrowing and must not cause any damage to the library items. If not, necessary action would be taken according to the seriousness of the matter.

Food & Drinks

For the protection of the books, building, furniture and equipment, the library prohibits the consumption of ANY food within its premises, except a small water bottle.

Smoking

Smoking is strictly prohibited within library premises

Cell Phone Use

In order to maintian a quiet and respectful reading environment, all cell phones should be set to silent or switched off while they are in the library

If a call must be answered, do so in an isolated area, so you do not disturb other library users.

Cleanliness

Patrons should visit the library in clean and proper attire.

Bags and Personal Belongings

Bags and Personal belongings should be left in the lockers

Normal Work Hours

National Collection

Day of Week	Opening Hours
Saturday - Thursday	09:15 - 17:30

Public Library

Day of Week	Circulation Counter	Opening Hours	Administration Office (except Saturdays)
Saturday - Thursday	09:15 - 17:45	09:15 - 17:45	08:00 - 14:00

Children's Multimedia Library

Day of Week	Circulation Counter	Opening Hours
Saturday - Thursday	10:15 - 15:45	10:15 - 15:45

We are CLOSED on Fridays & Public Holidays

Collections

Qaumee Kuthubukhaanaa has three main collections : National, Dhivehi and English

The National Collection contains materials about Maldives. The collection is aimed at preserving and maintain the information literary heritage of Maldives. Therefore all materials belonging to this collection are reference only and used for research purpose.

Dhivehi and English collections are the public lending collections. The collections have both fictional and non-fiction materials.

*Collection size summary*
Branch	Language	Collection Size
National Library	Dhivehi	6,940
National Library	English	5,594
Children's Library	Dhivehi	2,766
Children's Library	English	11,273
Public Library	Dhivehi	5,703
Public Library	English	29,524

*Library's collections summary*
Name	Code	Color	Age Group
Fiction – Dhivehi	F–DV	none	18+
Fiction – English	F–EN	none	18+
Islamic Collection – Dhivehi	IC–DV		13+
Islamic Collection – English	IC–EN		13+
Junior Fiction – Dhivehi	JF–DV		10 – 12
Junior Fiction – English	JF–EN		10 – 12
Junior Nonfiction – Dhivehi	JNF–DV		10 – 12
Junior Nonfiction – English	JNF–EN		10 – 12
Kinder Collection – Dhivehi	KC–DV		Below 6
Kinder Collection – English	KC–EN		Below 6
Library Science Collection	LSC	none
Nonfiction – Dhivehi	NF–DV	none	13+
Nonfiction – English	NF–EN	none	13+
Teen Fiction	TF		13 – 19
Young Fiction – Dhivehi	YF–DV		6 – 10
Young Fiction – English	YF–EN		6 – 10
Young Nonfiction – Dhivehi	YNF–DV		6 – 10
Young Nonfiction – English	YNF–EN		6 – 10

Loan Categories & Spine Labels

The Library's collections have two main loan categories. They are Lending items and Non-Lending items. Lending items may be borrowed by library members. Non-Lending items can only be used within the library.

*Spine labels used for items in the National Library*
Branch	Resource Type
National Collection	Legal Deposit Items Legal Depost items spine labels Non-Fiction Fiction Serial
National Collection	Items Pre-Legal Deposit Act Pre-Legal Depost National Collection items spine labels Non-Fiction Fiction Serial
Public Library	Non-Lending Items Public Library Non-Lending items spine labels Non-Fiction Fiction Serial
Children's Multimedia Library	Non-Lending Items Children's Multimedia Library Non-Lending items spine labels Non-Fiction Fiction Serial
Public Library	Lending Items Public Library Lending items spine labels Non-Fiction Fiction
Children's Multimedia Library	Lending Items Children's Multimedia Library Lending items spine labels Non-Fiction Fiction

Services

Circulation, Membership, Reference, Internet, Photocopying, E-Resources and Referrals

Photocopying

A4 (single side): MVR 1
A4 (double side): MVR 1.50
A3 (single side): MVR 2
A3 (double side): MVR 2.50

Membership

Applicant is required to submit completed membership form. Membership form is available from here and from library front desk.

Membership form should be submitted along with:

1 x Passport size photo (white background)
National ID card copy (Maldivians only)
Passport & Work permit copy (Foreigners only)
Library registration fee & membership fee
Deposit fee (Foreigners only)
Applicants under 18 must also submit
- Parent's or guardian's National ID card copy (Maldivians only) or Passport copy (Foreigners only)

Membership Fee Summary

*Library fee details*
Membership type	Registration fee	Membership fee	Deposit (Foreigners only)
Junior (below 18)	MVR 25	MVR 5	MVR 150
Adult	MVR 50	MVR 10	MVR 150

Loan Period

Members (aged 13 and above) may checkout 2 books for 21 days^* and 1 CD for 7 days^*
Members (under 13) may checkout 3 books for 21 days^* and 1 CD for 7 days^*

*The loan period will be counted inclusive of Saturdays, Fridays and Public Holidays. However if the due date falls on a Friday or Public holiday then the due date will be extened until the next library open day without an overdue.

Renewals

Most items may be renewed once if there are no outstanding requests for that item. High demand or special interest items may not be renewed. You may renew in person or on-line.

Overdue Fines

Overdue fines are charged as follows:

*Overdue fines details*
Item type	Junior (below 18)	Adult
CD	MVR 3 per day	MVR 3 per day
Book	MVR 1 per day	MVR 2 per day

All overdue fines will be calculated inclusive of Fridays & public holidays.

Computing and Internet facility

Library provides computing and Internet facilites for all library users. Users may use the computer stations provided or may bring their own device and connect to the library's Wi-Fi network.

By using or accessing the library's Computing and Internet facilities all users must abide by the library's Computing and Internet Use policy. For instructions on how to connect to the library's WiFi please read through these instructions.