Practical guide

Which Bahrain public libraries can visitors use to read or study?

By Gaurav Agarwal · Updated 15 October 2026

Visitors can use the Ministry of Education's eight Knowledge Sources Centers, which the Ministry describes as specialized public libraries serving citizens and residents, and the National Library at Isa Cultural Centre. Choose the nearest option below and check its current hours before travelling.

Ministry centers8

Eligible usersCitizens and residents

Muharraq optionAl Khalefeyah Library

Book Corner hoursBook Corner's page lists daily hours of 9 am to 8 pm, but the Art Centre's working-hours page lists 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday, so check before you go.

Open the official Ministry library directory

Jump to a step

Choose a place
Eight centers
Muharraq library
Book Corner
National Library
Before you go
Official gaps
Fast choice
FAQs
Official sources

01Start with the option that fits your visit

The clearest official route for a resident who is not enrolled at a university is a Ministry Knowledge Sources Center. The Ministry describes the centers as specialized public libraries for students, teachers, researchers and the general public, including citizens and residents.

Two Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities locations also publish visitor facilities. Al Khalefeyah Library has a reading area, research center and internet lab. Book Corner has comfortable seating and wireless internet, with a collection focused on visual arts, architecture, culture and design.

Which situation are you in?
What you need	Best official option	What is verified
A general public library near home	One of 8 Ministry centers	General public, citizens and residents are served
Reading and internet facilities in Muharraq	Al Khalefeyah Library	Reading area, research center and internet lab
A study spot with Wi-Fi	Book Corner at the Art Centre	Book Corner's page lists daily hours of 9 am to 8 pm, but the Art Centre's working-hours page lists 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday, so check before you go.

02All eight Ministry Knowledge Sources Centers

The Ministry directory shows eight centers and was updated on 2 June 2026. Six appear on the first directory page and Sanabis and Sitra appear on page 2. Use the official directory map and telephone number to confirm the entrance and today's hours before setting out.

Ministry public library directory
Center	Official address	Telephone
Arad	Building 124, Road 4002, Block 240, Arad (Behind Omar Bin Al-Khattab Mosque)	+973 17672440
Hidd	Building 290, Road 208, Block 102, Hidd (Next to Al-Hidd Primary Intermediate Boys School)	+973 17633592
Isa Town	Building 3604, Al Quds Avenue, Block 809	+973 17681158
Manama	Building 29, Khalid Bin Al-Waleed Avenue, Block 308, Qudaibiya	+973 17278714
National Bank of Bahrain	Building 30, Road 8, Block 225, Busaiteen (Opposite the French Private School)	+973 17320017
Riffa	Building 24, Road 1401, Block 914, Bukuwara	+973 17274811
Sanabis	Building 341, Road 812, Block 408	+973 17550587
Sitra	Building 634, Road 523, Block 605, Murqoban	+973 17730463

03Al Khalefeyah Library for reading and research

Al Khalefeyah Library is in the old city center of Muharraq. The official site says the building contains a reading area, research center and internet lab, and that it provides cultural programs and activities for the public.

The separate official hours page lists 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm and says the library is closed on Fridays. Recheck that page on the day of your visit because public hours can change.

Open the official library page.
Check the current Working Hours page.
Plan your visit within the published 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm window.
Remember that Friday is listed as closed.

04Book Corner for a daily reading seat and Wi-Fi

Book Corner is a smaller specialist option at the Art Centre. Its official page says it offers more than 350 books on visual arts, artists, architecture, culture and design. It also offers visitors a comfortable seating area, wireless internet and coffee.

Book Corner's page lists daily hours of 9 am to 8 pm, but the Art Centre's working-hours page lists 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday, so check before you go.

05National Library membership, borrowing and hours

The National Library at Isa Cultural Centre lends to borrower card holders. For Bahraini nationals, the FAQ lists a fee of BD 2 per card. For non-Bahraini national residents using option 1, it lists a BD20 security deposit refundable when the borrowed books are returned. Option 2 instead requires a letter to the Library Director.

Applicants under age 14 must apply through a parent or guardian. The National Library opens from 7:00 am to 6 pm, Sunday to Thursday, and closes on Friday and Saturday. Wi-Fi is available on the second floor at the Electronic Library.

06Call first if you need a quiet study session

The Ministry page confirms who the centers serve, but it does not publish opening hours for the eight locations. Call the center directly and ask whether its reading space is open to walk-in visitors at the time you plan to arrive.

The Ministry's contact details list +973 17873333. Ask for the current center hours and any visitor requirement before travelling.

Choose the nearest center from the table.
Call the listed center and confirm today's opening hours.
Ask whether you can use a reading desk without registration.
Ask what identification to bring and whether bags or laptops have any restrictions.
If you need borrowing access, ask for the current membership rule before choosing books.

07What the official pages don't say

The Ministry directory does not publish one rule for membership, borrowing, identification, laptop use, Wi-Fi access or seat reservations across its eight Knowledge Sources Centers. It also does not list their opening hours. Confirm these points directly with the chosen center.

08The simplest choice by area

For Manama, use Manama Knowledge Sources Center in Qudaibiya and call +973 17278714. Near Muharraq, the directory lists the Arad, Hidd and Busaiteen centers, and Al Khalefeyah Library. For the south, Riffa Knowledge Sources Center is in Bukuwara.

Book Corner's page lists daily hours of 9 am to 8 pm, but the Art Centre's working-hours page lists 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday, so check before you go. For a larger public-library network, start with the Ministry's eight-center directory.

09FAQs

Can residents use Bahrain's Ministry public libraries?

Yes. The Ministry says its Knowledge Sources Centers serve the general public, including citizens and residents.

Do I need university membership?

The official Ministry page describes the centers as public libraries for the general public. It does not publish a university membership requirement, but you should call the center about any local registration rule.

How many Ministry Knowledge Sources Centers are there?

The official directory lists eight centers.

Which public library has an internet lab?

Al Khalefeyah Library in Muharraq lists a reading area, research center and internet lab.

What are Al Khalefeyah Library's hours?

The official page lists 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm and says it is closed on Fridays.

Where can I read with Wi-Fi?

Book Corner offers visitors seating and wireless internet. Its page lists daily hours of 9 am to 8 pm, but the Art Centre's working-hours page lists 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday, so check before you go. The National Library also offers Wi-Fi on its second floor.

Can I borrow books?

The National Library at Isa Cultural Centre lends to library card holders. Its FAQ lists BD 2 per card for Bahraini nationals; non-Bahraini residents either pay a BD20 refundable deposit or submit a letter to the Library Director. The Ministry directory does not publish borrowing rules for its eight centers.

10Official sources

Official details checked 15 October 2026.