In a virtual seminar with the participation of an Emirati and Jordanian woman

"Library" reviews the experience of libraries in promoting reading

The "symposium" dealt with the role of public libraries in promoting reading and shed light on the experiences of public libraries.

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"Library", affiliated to the "Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi", organized a virtual seminar entitled "The Experience of Libraries in Promoting Reading at the Emirati and Arab Levels", with the participation of a group of specialists in libraries in the UAE and the Arab region, to celebrate the National Month of Reading.

The seminar was attended by: Sheikha Al Muhairi, Director of Libraries Department at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, Iman Bushelibi, Director of Public Libraries Department in Sharjah, Iman Al Hammadi, from Dubai Public Libraries, Rabhi Alyan, Professor of Library and Information Science at the University of Jordan, Dr. Hoda Abbas, director of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library at Kings Academy, and Dr. Wissam Musleh, a library specialist at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and owner of the Reading Clinic initiative, was moderated by Imad Abu Eid, Head of the Public Libraries Division in Abu Dhabi Municipality.

The symposium dealt with the role of public libraries in promoting reading and instilling a culture of learning and research, during which it shed light on the experiences of public libraries, university libraries, and school libraries in the UAE and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Imad Abu Eid started the session by highlighting the cultural initiatives that the UAE witnesses annually, especially the Month of Reading initiative, which was launched in 2016 to encourage the public to turn to reading, as well as the role of libraries in achieving the goals of this initiative, based on their role as sustainable incubators for reading.

Sheikha Al Muhairi talked about the experience of Abu Dhabi libraries in promoting reading, and highlighted the programs and competitions offered by the libraries of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, including book clubs, reading sessions, reading challenge, and other programs that contribute to enhancing the demand for books.

She touched on the cooperation of the Libraries Administration with schools to contribute to the professional development of the secretaries of learning resource centers, and the organization of physical and virtual visits to students, noting the growth in digital reading, in addition to the continuous growth in the number of participants in the reading competitions organized by the department, which reflects children's passion for reading and learning. And the support provided by parents to encourage their children to read.

For her part, Iman Bushlibi said: “The Sharjah Library Department has worked to change the stereotype of libraries, and to portray them as a destination for obtaining information, to make them an attractive home for those seeking knowledge and contributing to its exchange, in addition to focusing on its role in enriching knowledge.”

Bushlibi talked about Sharjah Library services in promoting reading, such as the reference service, which enables the public to ask questions to library workers, the ongoing briefing service that aims to inform the public about new and most read topics, and selectively broadcasts information to inform the public about new services, in addition to self-services. Which are available around the clock, such as loan service, address reservation service, and other services.

For her part, Iman Al Hammadi talked about the interactive activities provided by Dubai libraries, to familiarize the public with Emirati and Arab writers, highlight their literary works, in addition to introducing the public to public libraries and book stores in the UAE and around the world.

Al Hammadi emphasized that "children enjoy a special place in Dubai libraries, by organizing story readings for them, and introducing them to writers residing in the UAE."

She talked about the "School of Life" project, which was launched in early 2021 to rehabilitate public libraries, in order to transform them into integrated cultural centers capable of supporting the cultural and creative community, and enabling entrepreneurs to translate their ideas and creativity into successful business.

In turn, Dr. Hoda Abbas addressed a number of methods used in the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library in Kings Academy, including competitions, libraries within classes, the use of modern technology, such as applications and audio books, and granting students the freedom to express opinions on books and choose the topics they want. Read about it.

Reading expert Dr. Wissam Musleh discussed specialized libraries in ministries and institutions, and the role of the UAE reading law in promoting reading in the work environment, and reviewed a number of ideas that enable workers in private libraries to promote reading in the workplace.

The university is built around a library

Rabhi Elyan cited a quote by the English writer Shelby Foot, which described the university as a group of buildings surrounding a library, to signify the important role that university libraries play, and he shed light on the system followed by the University of Jordan, by providing a central library, in addition to a group of libraries. The sub-branches spread around the colleges, which contributes to shortening distances, and enabling students to access educational materials required within their educational curricula.

Elyan reviewed the University of Jordan library's experience in encouraging reading, by displaying new books at its entrance and on its website, providing free reading rooms, facilitating the process of loaning and returning books, and hosting cultural seminars.

• Children have a special place in Dubai libraries, by organizing story readings for them, and introducing them to writers residing in the country.

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