The UAE has introduced a law to get people to read more. The law includes many measures to achieve a higher literacy rate. Government workers will have time during working hours to read books. Private companies will have to create libraries at their offices, factories and other workplaces. It will also encourage shopping centres to offer spaces for public libraries. These libraries will be easy to use for people with reading disabilities. Even cafes will have to offer books and other reading materials to their customers.
The UAE's National Reading Law is the idea of President Sheikh Khalifa. The UAE has a National Strategy for Reading. This is a 10-year goal to create a country of "avid readers" and make reading a lifelong habit for adults and students. It also aims to get students to read an average of 20 or more books a year. The UAE's Minister of Education said the new law is: "A road map for building a reading, civilised society capable of change, and a world leader in development." A university president said books and libraries still have their place in society, even in the age of the Internet.
