Dubai Culture Participates in Sharjah International Book Fair 2016

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, continues its contribution to the Year of Reading by participating in the 35th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair 2016, which is being held 2 - 12 November, 2016 at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

The celebrated Sharjah International Book Fair is one of the most prestigious book fairs in the UAE and across the region. Dubai Culture’s participation in the event is one of a number of Dubai Culture activities in support of the Year of Reading initiative, announced by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

Fahad Al Mamari, Director of Dubai Public Library at Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Our participation in Sharjah International Book Fair 2016 is part of our wider efforts to support an collaborate with all important cultural events in the UAE, and highlights Dubai Culture’s role in its contribution to the Emirate’s cultural and arts scene. In addition, this partnership demonstrates our commitment to the National Reading Strategy and provides the opportunity to build relationships with esteemed UAE and international cultural figures.”

Throughout the ten-day exhibition, Dubai Culture will showcase a number of Dubai Public Library books and collections. In addition, a number of engaging activities which are tailored towards a diverse range of visitor interests will be held at the Dubai Culture stand. The Authority is also unveiling the modified version of its website, as well as a new service to transfer books between the branches of Dubai Public Library by remote auto-piloted drones, marking a first of its kind in the world.

A number of Dubai Public Library book collections will be on display for the public, including featuring Dubai Culture’s ‘Soul of Dubai’. There will be a dedicated corner for books presented as gifts from Arab countries to His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to support the first library in Dubai when it first opened in YEAR. Books printed in braille for the blind will be on display to the public, as well as books for children.

Visitors to the stand will experience a range of fun and engaging activities for children, as well as the chance to win an iPad every day. Furthermore, visitors will be able to demo the Dubai Public Library app in order to learn its key benefits and register as members of the Dubai Public Library.

The Dubai Public Library network includes eight libraries for adults and another seven for children. Some branches feature multi-purpose halls, classrooms and exhibition spaces; all branches of the Dubai Public Library are connected via computer systems and have links with other modern libraries, providing access to vast sources of information and knowledge on a diversity of topics in both Arabic and English.