Long ago I tried in vain with British Library Group to offer similar free (subsidized) membership for our senior citizens. Could not convince the authorities. ----> PVM Elderly initiative turns new page with Dubai library services Free membership and priority access to books for senior citizens as part of wider Thuker programme By Faisal Masudi, Staff Reporter May 9, 2014 Dubai: Senior citizens of Dubai have been granted complimentary public library membership as part of wider privileges for the elderly. Emiratis aged over 60 can receive free membership and priority services to all eight Dubai Public Library (DPL) branches. DPL started offering the privileges last month as part of the Thuker (Balance) initiative of the Community and Development Authority (CDA). CDA and its partners in the initiative aim to acknowledge and reward senior citizens for their contribution to Dubai’s development. DPL is also offering them a free pick-and-drop service for books and priority in borrowing books. Thuker is held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. A senior citizen said the initiative has encouraged him to read more on a daily basis. Mohammad Abdullah, 63, said the Thuker card “provides a variety of services and discount on products. I’ve received a great deal of support from the government entities which are providing a wide range of services at international standards. “One important value-added privilege I receive is the access to the services of [DPL] in which I now enjoy spending my free time in reading, as I know that daily reading strengthens my memory and stabilises my mood.” He added: “I hope that the list of the service providers registered with this CDA card gets broadened to have more authorities and companies from all over the country.” Established around five decades ago, DPL recently came under the ownership of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. Abdul Rahman Ebrahim, head of DPL, said: “Dubai Public Library is committed to giving back to the community through an array of year-round initiatives that engage and inspire love for the written word. “Through our participation in CDA’s Thuker initiative, we are honouring those individuals who have played a role in defining the city’s history.” He added: “Senior citizens account for a fair share of the [library users] ratio... [They] tend to lean more towards books on history, biographies of our visionary leadership and narratives that speak about Dubai and the UAE.” Ebrahim said the initiative will allow them to “skip the line, per se.” He explained that Thuker “derives its name from the Arabic word for balance and serves as a metaphor to reach out to the entire spectrum of community members.” The libraries are located in Al Twar, Al Mankhool, Hor Al Anz, Al Safa, Al Rashidiya, Al Ras, Umm Suqeim and Hatta. ============= Dr P Vyasamoorthy President: Society for Serving Seniors 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony, Secunderabad 500015. LL 040-27846631 / Mobile: 9490804278 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.