The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (MBRL) has announced that it will host and organize the first edition of the Dubai International Library Conference 2024, under the slogan “Our Libraries Past, Present and Future”.
During a press conference, MBRL announced that the prestigious library conference will be held from November 15 to 17 with the participation of more than 60 speakers from over 25 countries.
The Supreme Committee of the Dubai International Library Conference comprises three members of MBRL Foundation’s Board of Directors: Isobel Abulhoul, Ibrahim Al Hashmi and Jamal Al Shehhi.
“The conference will be a crucial opportunity for speakers and participants to network, exchange views and experiences, as well as to discuss the most pressing issues facing libraries worldwide,” said Isobel Abulhoul. She added, “The entire world, including the region, must keep pace with the challenges of the digital age. At our library, we constantly strive to adopt international best practices, strengthen partnerships with leading global institutions, contributing to building a global knowledge society, and develop recommendations and initiatives that propel the advancement of libraries.”
Ibrahim Al Hashemi emphasized that the inaugural edition of the conference offers a crucial podium to explore the role of libraries as cultural and knowledge hubs in building bridges of communication, fostering an understanding of diverse cultures, and exchanging experiences and knowledge within a global framework that embodies rich human diversity.
Al Hashmi also underlined the importance of the conference in highlighting the future prospects for libraries, digital transformation and the concept of transforming them into museums of the future, as well as the latest practices in the library and information sector.
Jamal Al Shehhi said: “The workshops and specialized sessions at the conference offers a vital platform to explore the latest technologies, innovations, and challenges in the world of libraries and information. This supports our vision and strategy to enable library professionals to keep pace with the rapid developments in the field, equipping them with the necessary tools to transform their libraries into advanced knowledge and community centres that meet the needs of the knowledge society in the 21st century.”
The conference will bring together an elite group of specialists, professionals, and experts from all over the world to exchange ideas and experiences and learn about the latest practices in the library and information sector.
Among the most prominent participants in the conference are Louis Coiffait-Gunn, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP); Sharon Mimis, Secretary General of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA); Leslie Burger, Interim Executive Director of the American Library Association (ALA); Mohsin Al Musawi from Columbia University; Dr. Sami Moubayed, historian at the Royal Historical Society in London; and Saif Al Jabri, President of the Oman Library Association and Chair of IFLA in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Other prominent speakers include Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Library of Alexandrina (Bibliotheca Alexandrina); Dr. Faiza Adeeb Al Bayati, President of the Iraqi Library, Information and Documentation Specialists Association; Dr. Heba Ismail, Vice-President of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information; and Constantia Constantino, Vice-Provost and Director of Libraries at the University of Pennsylvania.
The conference will feature more than 45 distinguished workshops, seminars, lectures, and dialogue sessions, focusing on a wide range of topics. These include the preservation and restoration of archives, new library systems and programs, intellectual property, copyright laws, artificial intelligence, sustainable libraries, and the role of philanthropy in ensuring access to books. Specialists and international academics will contribute to these discussions, enriching the exchange of ideas and advancing the field of library and information science.
The conference will highlight the crucial role of libraries in facilitating knowledge exchange within a global framework. It will also celebrate libraries as architectural masterpieces, recognizing their cultural significance as repositories of diverse cultures, histories, and heritage, and as treasures of knowledge.
The conference will focus on the diverse knowledge offerings of international libraries across academic, scientific, national, public, private, and specialized domains. It will attract specialists, experts, and professionals from around the world to envision and shape the future of libraries, showcasing their technical efficiency and commitment to adopting and integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and electronic databases. Discussions will address challenges posed by evolving societal and technological changes in the library sector.
