Sharjah to host IFLA’s Fourth Regional Conference 
in the Arab World

As part of its role to develop more libraries, promote knowledge locally and in the Arab world, and keep abreast with the latest developments in the library and information technology sectors, Sharjah is set to host the fourth Regional Conference of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in the Arab World on April 25-26, as part of Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 activities.

The two-day conference, which will run under the theme ‘Impact of IT & Digital Knowledge on Arab Organisations and Business Environment’ at Sharjah Expo Centre, is being held in collaboration with Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), and will bring together library professionals, information technology (IT) and other digital sector experts from various Arab countries to discuss and analyse the great transformations in information generation and consumption led by digital and technological advancement, especially in the region’s libraries sector. 

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the SBA, commented: “At Sharjah Book Authority, we are keen on providing librarians in the Arab world with the knowledge and exposure to the latest developments and initiatives in their sector and line of work. Our continuous mission reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who calls for activating all parties responsible for promoting knowledge and building intercultural bridges.”

“Sharjah is ready to host this conference which is part of SBA’s goals to nurture and advance the book industry where libraries will continue to play a central role in providing knowledge resource for students, researches, and decision-makers,” the SAB Chairman added.

For his part, Faisal Al Naboodah, General Coordinator of the conference said: “The conference emphasises the need to improve and advance the work of libraries around the world. It also puts on the table a number of issues influencing those working in the education and information sector, and presents practical ways to tackle them and design solutions through a series of sessions.

"The conference provides librarians and information professionals a unique opportunity to meet with international experts in the field, who share the kind of experiences and knowledge that go a long way in improving and streamlining the work of libraries by leveraging latest IT innovations that power the field.”

On day one of the conference, two panel discussions will be held. The first one will tackle topics including ‘The impact of knowledge and information on the workflow of libraries and Arabic Information Centres’, ‘The impact of online learning on academic libraries’, and ‘Digital school library, its impact on the educational process: International models, and leading Egyptian experiences’.

The second session will focus on three topics: ‘The impact of information and digital knowledge on Arab information specialist’, ‘The impact of information and digital knowledge on the Arab consumers’, and ‘Access to information in Tunisian digital environment’.

Two sessions will be held on the second day of the conference. The first one will have experts tackling the following topics: ‘Investment of Arab Information institutions in new technologies for digital knowledge management (Unified Arab Index)’, ‘Investment of Arab Information institutions in new technologies for digital knowledge management in light of  the IFLA Trend Report 2018’ and ‘Initiatives of Arab information and knowledge institutions for collaboration, digital interconnection, standardisation of business processes, and optimal utilisation of digital knowledge: Digital Library of Saudi Arabia’. 

Meanwhile, the second session will discuss the topics ‘Libraries in the digital world, between disseminating knowledge and intellectual property rights: an analytical vision’, ‘Information security awareness in Jordanian libraries’ and ‘Academic Publishing in the Algerian University and its role in the promotion and availability of Arabic digital content: a field study at the University of Constantine’.

The conference will focus on information technology, digital knowledge and its impact on the Arab information institutions and environment, based on the results and outcomes of the IFLA Trend Report 2018, which emphasised that information technology and the technological advancement in recent years has revolutionised the workings of all information sectors, including libraries leading to optimal results and streamlining of processes.