The Sharjah Book Authority participated in the American Library Association conference and exhibition (Midwinter Meeting), which was held in Philadelphia, USA.
Over a period of five days, the authority discussed ways to improve the library sector around the world, and discussed the most prominent efforts and strategic plans with its counterpart from global stakeholders, with the aim of advancing this sector. The conference this year included a large number of librarians from inside and outside the United States, and experts specializing in office work, as well as many writers and intellectuals who stressed the need to push towards double work, to improve the reality of libraries in the service of cultural projects, and the participation reflected the vision of the Sharjah Book Authority in Activating communication and cooperation frameworks with various cultural authorities around the world, and within the framework of its preparations to organize the seventh session of the Conference of Librarians, which will be held in Sharjah, next November, in cooperation with the American Library Association.
The Sharjah delegation, headed by the head of the Sharjah Book Authority, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al-Amri, held a series of meetings and meetings with representatives of international libraries, and specialists in the field of library management, through which they shed light on the authority's vision and its cultural strategy, which proceeds from its organization of the various events that are related The book industry, in addition to researching a set of common files that serve the partnership between the authority and the American Library Association.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al-Amiri said that «the international meetings for researching the reality of libraries embody the extent of the world's interest in protecting libraries and their human heritage and civilizational scene, which is a testament to the position of the book and its role in achieving the progress and progress of societies, and our participation in them confirms the support of these international efforts, according to The vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to support the movement of writing and publishing, and to enhance the presence of libraries at the local and international levels. He added, “We discussed at the American Library Association conference and exhibition the challenges facing this sector in light of the changes in lifestyles, resorting to alternative and quick sources of knowledge, and presented a set of solutions and perceptions that would push towards developing the relationship of libraries with readers, and encouraging the young generation in particular. To get used to it. ”
Mid-winter meeting
One of the most important international events specialized in this field is the mid-winter meeting of the American Library Association, in which many specialists, experts, and librarians participate, in addition to publishers, and book industry workers from all over the world. The meeting forms a prelude to the annual conference that the association holds.
Ahmed Al-Amri:
"We have put forward a number of scenarios that will push towards developing the relationship of libraries with readers, and encouraging the young generation in particular to use them."
The conference included a number of librarians from the United States and abroad.