Audiobooks Cabins Project 'Masmooa'

The Audiobooks Cabins Project 'Masmooa' is a project featuring audio devices designed as phone booths, offering interactive audiobook content. It was launched by the Libraries Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of the initiative to provide library services in public gathering spaces, one of the commission's strategic initiatives. The project's first phase was introduced in 2022, followed by its second phase the following year.

The Audiobooks Cabins Project 'Masmooa' aims to facilitate access to knowledge across various social groups and regions in the Kingdom by providing audiobooks in public locations. It seeks to innovatively revive cultural heritage, helping achieve the commission’s targets. Additionally, the project aims to promote culture, enhance information awareness among community members, improve library services through audiobook offerings, and introduce audio content as a valuable source of knowledge.

The idea for the audio device was inspired by the 'communication booths,' which were once operated by the Ministry of Telegraph, Post, and Telephone during the 1980s and 1990s (now the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.) The device shares similarities with these booths in terms of its popularity and ease of use. The project provides audio content services, allowing users to browse content according to specific categories such as duration, field, most listened to, and more. Users can select their preferred audio files, listen to short previews directly from the device, or scan a barcode to access the full audio file on their mobile phones.

The first phase of the Audiobooks Cabins Project 'Masmooa' was launched in conjunction with the activities of the Riyadh International Book Fair in 2022. The second phase began on May 24, 2023, starting in al-Ahsa, followed by Dammam, al-Khobar, Riyadh, and Jeddah Cities.