KATARSKÁ NÁRODNÁ KNIŽNICA -- PÚŠTNY DIAMANT.

Known for its stunning diamond-shaped facade, the Qatar National Library (QNL) provides access to more than 1,000,000 documents mainly related to the history and culture of the Arabian Gulf region. A modern building in an inhospitable desert symbolizes mingling the modern with the ancient. The heart of the national library is the Heritage Library. Its growing collection includes rare and valuable archival documents, books, and periodicals in various European languages; early Arabic printed materials, such as books, journals, magazines, and newspapers; and Arabic manuscripts, maps, atlases, globes, historical photographs, and instruments and tools related to travel. A number of the printed materials date back to the 15th century. The author of the contribution describes the architectural solution, but also the vision, mission, and values of the library, which serves as a repository of cultural heritage and, at the same time, a community centre for the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]