International Sharjah Libraries Conference

Participants of International Sharjah Library Conference, 2019

Participants

• Dr. Hjh Rashidah Hj. Bolhassan
• Hjh Salina Zawawi
• Fairul Azli Banchit
• Ramdzan Saman
• Norassima Sitam

Introduction

Venue of International Sharjah Libraries Conference

(A) Sharjah International Book Fair, United Arab Emirates

• The Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, had confirmed that the 38th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, SIBF, was organised from 30th October to 9th November, 2019, where authors, publishers, intellectuals and artists worldwide brought their experiences and expertise to this prominent book event and participated in a vibrant cultural programme.
• SIBF 2019 carried the Sharjah World Book Capital (SWBC) theme, "Open Books Open Minds".
• The 10-day event which started in 1982 under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, is a leading literary event that profiles the written work of the Arab world.
• SIBF 2019 witnessed the participation of 173 leading authors from 68 countries who took part in 987 events, ranging from book discussions and signings, theatre, social media events, and children’s and cooking activities.
• SIBF held 350 cultural activities presented by 90 guests from 28 countries, and many children took part in 409 activities organized by 28 guests from 13 countries.
• The Cookery Corner presented 48 live culinary activities conducted by 15 Arab and international chefs from nine countries, while 66 activities hosted by five guests from four countries were held at the Comic Book Corner.

(B) Sharjah International Library Conference, United Arab Emirates

• The Sharjah International Library Conference 2019 held on 5-7 November 2019. It was a collaboration between the Sharjah International Book Fair and the American Library Association (ALA), which develops the professional program.
• This conference drew on expertise from librarians in the region as well as from the United States and other countries. The three-day conference offered a wide range of topics for librarians from academic, public, school, government, and special libraries.
• The international roster of expert presenters and keynote speakers for the 2019 library conference talked about how societal trends affect planning for the library of the future. Other topics included new trends and technologies, digital content, innovative spaces and2 services, marketing, assessment, rebranding and proving the value of the library, staff and leadership development, and promoting the love of reading. During the program, the organizer provided the following to Pustaka;
• Free conference registration for all Pustaka’s delegate.

Expectations and Outcomes

• The book selection trip gave us the opportunity for a forum of discussion, exchange and learning on themes of common interest and priorities, policies that can assist Pustaka in the continuous development for the State of Sarawak. Dr. Rashidah Bolhassan, the CEO presented 2 papers in the conference entitled “Owning contents about us: Local content development through library and school collaborations” and “Shared capacity building: Empowering staff for library transformation”,
• Able to acquire, organize and make available information resources in all formats which are relevant to the economic, social and cultural well-being of the State of Sarawak.134 items purchased in cash amounting AED5,095 from the book exhibitors and 73 gift collections such as the Holy Qur’an in different languages, religious books collected. More than RM10,000 worth of books were ordered over the exhibition booths through the local book supplier.
• The conference helped us to gauge the value of libraries in term of identifying areas of quality improvement, best practices, new trends, technologies, evaluate performance and develop benchmark for Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.

Program Summary

• Departure to Sharjah [November 2, 2019]
• Assembled at Kuching International Airport for flight to Kuala Lumpur – Dubai. Arrived Dubai International Airport at 1.30 p.m and transferred to Novotel Hotel, Sharjah for checked-in. Books selection at 38th Sharjah Book Fair, (SIBF) [November 3-4, 2019]
• 1,681 publishing houses participated.
• 2.31 million visitors attended.
• 13,500 sqm of the exhibition area.
• 68 countries represented with Mexico as the Guest of Honor.
• Lebanese author and critic Dr. Yumna Al Eid, also known as Hikmat Sabbagh, was named the “Cultural Personality of the Year”.
• 134 items purchased in cash amounting AED5,095
• 73 gift collections such as the Holy Qur’an in different languages, religious books collected.
• More than RM10,000 worth of books were ordered over the exhibition booths through the local book supplier.

6th Sharjah International Libraries Conference [November 5- November 7]

• The collaboration between the Sharjah International Book Fair and the American Library Association, which develops the professional program.
• ALA’s President Ms.Wanda K. Brown provided an overview of what the future holds for libraries and how library staff can be ready to embrace and capitalize on the important role libraries can play in their communities.
• Mr. Jason Griffey, provided an extensive overview of how artificial intelligence can be used in libraries.
• Dr. Rashidah Bolhassan, the CEO presented 2 papers in the conference entitled “Owning contents about us: Local content development through library and school collaborations” and “Shared capacity building: Empowering staff for library transformation”,
• Puan Mastura Mohamad, Director, Selangor Public Library presented a paper entitled “Transform libraries, transform society”.
• The complete 6th Sharjah International Libraries Conference and presentations as attached. http://www.ala.org/aboutala/2019-sharjah-international-library- conference-program-and-presentations Benchmarking Visits [November 8-9]
• Tour guide: Dr. Nourman and Mdm. Farnaz

Sharjah Public Library

• Has thousands of collections which primarily in Arabic language.
• Renders services to public at large such as borrowing and lending, children engagement activities and so for the which includes the Braille Services for visual impairment users.
• Sharjah Public Library (SPL) also launched its ‘Digital Library Collection’, providing 38,000 libraries and schools from around the world with access to 1,200 of the emirate’s eBooks and audiobooks in 2017.
• In cooperation with OverDrive, one of the leading digital reading platforms in education, the material is compatible with most mobile devices and PCs, giving instant global accessibility.
• The electronic and audio books include recreational, professional, academic, educational, linguistic, scientific and medical titles, as well as new content which is regularly added to the site.
• The Digital Library Collection provides readers with relevant material using a valid virtual library card where members can borrow eBooks for 14 days and audiobooks for seven days. The collection is also characterised by a highly responsive and user-friendly website and mobile applications.

Al-Mahatta Museum

• Al Mahatta Museum first opened its doors on March 14, 2000.
• The first airport in the region, built in 1932 and then turned into a museum highlighting the history of flight in the UAE and the region.
• Prominent place due to its unique collectibles that show man's first attempts to fly, to landing on the moon.
• The airport has been used in 1930s as a staging post for commercial flights en route from Britain to India.

Sharjah Mosque

• The largest mosque in the Emirate of Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates.
• Construction being in 2014 costing around 300 AED million dirhams.
• It was inaugurated on 10 May 2019 by Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan binMuhammad Al-Qasimi.
• Could accommodate upto 25,000 jamaah at one time.

Miracle Garden

• A flower garden located in the district of Dubailand, Dubai. United Arab Emirates.
• Launched on Valentine's Day in 2013.
• The garden occupies over 72,000 square metres, making it the world's largest natural flower garden featuring over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants.
• Has 7 parks of attractions such as Emirates A380, Mickey Mouse, Big Teddy Bear, Lost Paradise, Lake Park, Hearts Passage, Floral Clock and Floral Castle.

Burj Khalifa

• the world’s highest building with a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft) and a roof height (excluding antenna) of 828 m (2,717 ft), making a total of 163 floors.
• The building was originally named Burj Dubai but was renamed in honor ofthe ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

What We Have Learned

1. Close partnerships and networking with local, regional and international affiliations such as Middle East Librarians Association (MELA), American Library Association (ALA) etc.
2. Great support from UAE government on library development in their country.
3. Pro-active roles in school and community outreach and services
4. Greater efforts in the preservation of special collections.
5. Respect cultural diversity well.
6. Put greater emphasis on knowledge and information sharing.
7. Systematic and well-organized library conference and bookfair.
8. Great turn-over of visitors to the book expo, estimated 2.31 million visitors.
9. Encouraging number of exhibitors, paper presenters from 68 countries all over the world.
10. Various events had been lined up during the conference and book expo such as book signing, book and panel discussions, posters exhibitions and cultural performances.

Recommendations

The following are the recommendations proposed and it will be elaborated further in the Strategic Plans Review 2019 and Strategic Plans 2020 – 2021:

1. To advocate collaboration between Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Pustaka in any of similar conference and book fair held in UAE or Arab World to highlight our presence and commitment.
2. To consolidate more outreach programs to various segments of society especially to school libraries and community.
3. To intensify the Oral History projects and its accessibility to such collections.
4. To intensify marketing tools and promotions of the establishment of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Sibu as what the benchmarking visits potrayed.
5. To integrate ARIC in all paintings collections of Pustaka

Conclusion

We believe the program had shed lights to our understanding of information related services as far as library management and services are concerned. The program has led us witnessed upon a well-organized library conference, book fair as well as library services, historical, cultural and tourism attractions which could be positively brought home, to be adopted and adapted to our community. The program had also been able to open new horizons in creating networking between us and our counterparts in the library world, learned and shared of perspectives among each other on certain topics of interests.