JEDDAH: English learners and students in   Arabia can now access the British Council’s Digital Library free of charge after a partnership between the Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) and the Council was announced on Sunday. The library supports English-language students with free learning resources such as popular e-books and audiobooks. The launch of the digital library is part of the center’s strategic partnership with the British Council to enhance education. RCQE director general, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mudairis, said that the center’s mission is to improve education in the Arab world. Al-Mudairis pointed out that the center has facilitated access to this free digital library to provide for everyone who wants to learn in Saudi Arabia. “The accelerating pace of digital transformation has increased the demand for books and electronic resources via the ionternet,” he said. “The repercussions of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the world, especially on education, has pointed up the need for innovative curricula.” Saudi Arabia and the UK share many common interests, including education and culture. Eilidh Kennedy McLean, Director of the British Council Eilidh Kennedy McLean, director of the British Council in Saudi Arabia, said that it was important for the council to be able to cooperate with RCQE to launch the library “after the challenging year of 2020.” She added that Saudi Arabia and the UK share many common interests, including education and culture. Members of the British Council Digital Library will have world-class resources at the tip of their fingers, from online study resources to award-winning movies and documentaries. The membership gives access to magazines and newspapers from around the world and access to exclusive content from their partners in the UK. Users must be over 18, according to the website.