Over the course of five days, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) shed light on the latest efforts and strategies being implemented worldwide to advance the library sector, as part of their participation in American Library Association (ALA)’s 2020 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits held in Philadelphia, USA.

The event brought together librarians and other experts in the sector from the US and around the world, in addition to authors and intellectuals. Attendees stressed the need to intensify and integrate current efforts, share successful local experiences with the world, and push for stronger adoption of global best practices. SBA was at the event to further its objective of strengthening cooperation between international cultural entities. Their participation also forms part of SBA’s groundwork for the seventh edition of the Sharjah International Library Conference, which will be held during Sharjah International Book Fair 2020 in cooperation with ALA.

Led by HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, the delegation held several meetings with representatives of international libraries and academic experts, sharing SBA’s strategies, initiatives and their overall cultural vision to boost the publishing industry in the UAE and around the world. The delegates also explored ways to boost the longstanding partnership between SBA and ALA.

“These platforms reflect the increasing need to protect and modernise libraries globally, given their pivotal role in shaping the intellects of communities through generations, preserving knowledge and fuelling development. SBA is committed to support international efforts geared towards safeguarding and advancing these key repositories of culture and learning, which follows from the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to promote the growth of the publishing sector and enhance the role of libraries locally and internationally,” noted Al Ameri.

“The conference was a great opportunity to connect, converse and collaborate with colleagues leading the library sector globally. We discussed new and emerging challenges in light of rapidly changing patterns of knowledge consumption in a technology driven world. Some great ideas were put forth regarding ways we can reignite the library culture worldwide by turning libraries into spaces that not only offer authentic knowledge sources, but are inspiring, engaging and can be used as social hubs for the exchange of ideas, especially for the younger generations,” he concluded.

ALA, the oldest and largest library association in the world, holds the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in January. The conference draws more than 10,000 leaders and staff, educators, writers, publishers, Friends of libraries, trustees, special guests and exhibitors from the library and information industry for some 2,400 meetings, programmes, discussion groups, events, in-depth conversations and exhibits.

Established in December 2014, SBA is dedicated to encouraging investment in creative industries and offering a platform for knowledge and intellectual exchange between peoples from different civilisations and cultures. SBA is tasked with highlighting the significant role of writers and their influence in promoting community awareness in view of the technological advancement and diversity of sources of knowledge. It also aims to attract relevant bodies, and all concerned about the cultural sector in general, with a focus on the publishing, printing, translation, documentation and children’s books.