Saudi Gazette The public library in Hail under the wing of Ministry of Culture and Information does not give access to women in the region. The library which is home to over 40,000 books is rich in literature, language, and other valuable reading resources. The reason why women are not allowed in the library is because there is no segregated women's section and neither any specific visiting hours allocated for them. A young university student (name withheld) told Al-Watan, “There are lots of women who are interested in reading, enhancing their knowledge and research. Every time I need a book or a specialized reference, I have to send my father to the library and often he brings home the wrong book. I suggest that the library reserves at least one day for women only, so that it can facilitate us in our research projects that the university requires us to complete. I yearn to read and study one day amid the shelves of books in the library.” Another avid reader, Fatimah Al-Yahya has sent a letter to the Ministry of Culture and Information requesting them to open a women's section in the public library. “On several occasions I have called the public library and asked them how women are supposed to borrow books that they need for their university studies. Every time an employee assures me that there is a woman's section but it is not fully ready to be opened yet. I have sent a letter to the Ministry of Culture and Information to open a women's section in the public library,” said Al-Yahya. She borrows books from a literary club she is a member of, however she said that the selection of books they have is very small and limited. The Saudi Gazette called the public library and asked if there was indeed a women's section in progress; the response we received was, “No, currently, there is no women's section at the library. The Ministry of Culture and Information is studying the issue and is looking into creating a special area of the library for women.” __
