KUWAIT: A mini free library—an idea widely embraced abroad but still novel in Kuwait—was recently introduced for the first time along the Gulf Road at Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah (DAI), located within the Amricani Cultural Centre. As a cultural organization built around the private collection of the late Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (1948–2020), DAI was a natural and fitting choice to launch such an initiative—one that aligns with its mission to foster intellectual and cultural engagement in Kuwait.

Open to the public, the library allows everyone to take or leave a book for free, encouraging the exchange of ideas and knowledge among people. The only gentle guideline: books should be family friendly. Though still in its experimental phase, the project is built on goodwill and a shared respect for books. It reflects the spirit of the popular Arabic proverb, “The reader does not steal, and the thief does not read.” “A reader already carries certain morals within them,” said Worood Alshatti, the founder of the initiative.

The little free library stocked with donated books.

“A thief, on the other hand, isn’t interested in books—he’d rather steal something of profit, not something that benefits others.” When the idea first struck Alshatti, who works as a translator at DAI, she found support from her colleagues who helped bring the project to life. From the engineer at the museum who crafted the wooden box that holds the books to the organization’s staff who donated their old books, everyone believed in the potential impact of the project. Since its launch a few weeks ago, the mini library has sparked curiosity and consistent engagement.

“Every few days, I notice books being taken and new ones added,” Alshatti noted. If successful, Alshatti hopes the concept will expand across Kuwait. “I’d love to see these libraries everywhere,” she said. “It’s a beautiful way to gently encourage people to read.” With the support of her team, she envisions placing more mini libraries in locations such as Al Shaheed Park, with its peaceful ambiance, and Souq Al Mubarakiya, with its cultural and historical depth. “But for now,” she added, “we’re treating this as a learning process—trial and error to understand what works best.”

Alshatti views books as essential companions in a distracted world. “It’s much better to have books in our lives than be consumed by social media and all that,” she said. An internationally recognized cultural institution, DAI engages the public through a diverse array of activities including an annual cultural season of lectures, concerts, children’s programs, exhibitions, and academic research. While renovations at its Qibla Cultural District home continue, DAI currently operates out of the Amricani Cultural Centre and the Yarmouk Cultural Centre.