Culture & Education | Sunday 1 May, 2016 6:04 am |

Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has called for the establishment of an Emirates Librarians' Association. The Authority, which seeks to promote literary services across the UAE, says that such a platform would assist Emirati and resident library experts, as well as other professionals in the UAE, to promote books and library services most effectively to the country’s citizens and residents.

 

SBA’s call coincides with 2016 being celebrated as the UAE's Year of Reading and with April being the month of World Book Day and World Library Week. The announcement was made to emphasise the UAE's commitment to strengthening its position in all book-related events and initiatives, such as book fairs and conferences, libraries, campaigns and awards.

 

SBA’s proposal sees an Emirates Librarians’ Association as a body that would bring together all library professionals and stakeholders. It would also encourage others to pay more attention to the UAE’s library sector and develop it more effectively by providing it with the fundamental requirements to ensure its growth and prosperity. 

 

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said; "Libraries are treasure houses of knowledge, with the UAE's wise leadership having paid great attention to these facilities to ensure their sustainability in serving consecutive generations and catering to their need for books and sources of knowledge. It is time to establish an association that includes library experts and professionals and to provide them with all forms of support to ensure their continuous efforts in this field."

 

Al Ameri highlighted the importance of establishing the Emirates Librarians’ Association in developing library services and enhancing the capacity and experiences of professionals in the sector. He added that the association would enable libraries to keep abreast with the latest developments in the library service, protect the rights of librarians and provide them with hands-on training. Such an association would help in library-related research and studies, which would in turn boost the UAE's vision for acquiring knowledge and consolidate its presence in this field, regionally and internationally.  

 

SBA has invited all organisations and bodies involved in the UAE’s cultural field and public library sector to participate in a meeting in Sharjah next month to discuss the possible means to establish an Emirates Librarians’ Association. The gathering aims to determine the objectives of such a body and outline its mission in preparation to submit the issue to official organisations in order to obtain the necessary licenses.