As part of the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, organized by the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, a panel discussion titled “UAE Libraries: Pioneering Experiences” was held in the business lounge, featuring prominent figures involved in library management and development in the country.
The session included contributions from Iman Bushleibi, Director of Sharjah Public Libraries, Dr. Abdallah Al Hafiti, Dean of Khalifa University of Science and Technology Library, and Fatima Al Mazrouei, Head of Historical Archives at the National Archives and Library.
The discussion was moderated by Aisha Salem Al Balushi from the Specialized Libraries Department at the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the importance of sharing experiences among library institutions in the nation and highlighted the need to showcase innovative initiatives that enhance libraries’ roles as vital centers of knowledge.
Under the title “Community Libraries: Sharjah Public Libraries – From a Reading Space to an Influential Platform,” Iman Bushleibi outlined the transformations that have taken place within Sharjah Libraries, addressing the challenges encountered at the onset of this transformation process.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdallah Al Hafiti discussed the role of Khalifa University Library in supporting the educational and research ecosystem, sharing details of several memorandums of understanding the university has signed with institutions in Abu Dhabi to foster knowledge integration.
In her contribution titled “UAE: Leaders in Field Collection of Oral Heritage,” Fatima Al Mazrouei provided a comprehensive overview of the National Archives and Library’s efforts to document the cultural memory of the nation, emphasizing oral heritage as a fundamental element in strengthening national identity.
The session illuminated the various and integrated efforts made by national, university, and public library institutions aimed at enhancing knowledge content and expanding the role of libraries from mere book preservation centers to hubs of culture and community engagement.