Mohammed Bin Rashid Library will host the first Dubai International Library Conference on November 15-17.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library to Host Inaugural Dubai International Library Conference from 15-17 November 2024

DUBAI, 9th July 2024— The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library has officially announced its plans to host and organize the inaugural Dubai International Library Conference 2024 (DILC 2024). This landmark event is set to be one of the most prominent and prestigious conferences of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Scheduled to take place from the 15th to the 17th of November 2024, the conference will be held under the theme “Our Libraries, Past, Present and Future.” It is expected to attract participants from more than 25 countries and feature over 60 distinguished speakers from around the globe.

The Supreme Committee overseeing the Dubai International Library Conference 2024 includes three esteemed members of the Board of Directors of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation: Isobel Abulhoul, Ibrahim Al Hashmi, and Jamal Al Shehhi.

Isobel Abulhoul expressed the significance of the conference, stating, “The conference represents a crucial opportunity for delegates and speakers to gather in person at this iconic library and engage in discussions on the most urgent issues facing libraries around the world. It is essential that the global community, including the MENA region, adapts to the challenges posed by the digital era while bridging generational gaps. This involves integrating the ancient wisdom of the past with the dynamic energy of the present and addressing the uncertainties of the future.”

Ibrahim Al Hashmi underscored the importance of the event, noting, “The inaugural Dubai Library Conference 2024 will serve as a pivotal platform for examining the role of libraries as cultural and knowledge hubs that build bridges across diverse cultures. It will facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge within a global framework that highlights human diversity and explores the future prospects of libraries, including digital transformation and the evolution of libraries into future-oriented museums. The conference will also address current practices and innovations in the library and information sector.”

Jamal Al Shehhi added, “The conference will feature a range of talks, events, and specialized sessions, offering a vital platform for exploring the latest technologies, innovations, and challenges in the field of libraries and information management. It is a unique opportunity for professionals to delve into new developments and trends.”

As the most significant event in the public library sector, the Dubai International Library Conference 2024 aims to bring together a distinguished group of specialists, professionals, and experts from across the world. The conference will focus on exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and learning about the latest advancements in the library and information field.

Among the notable participants will be Louis Coiffait-Gunn, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP); Sharon Memis, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA); Leslie Burger, Interim Executive Director at the American Library Association (ALA); Mohsin Al Musawi from Columbia University; Dr. Sami Mobayed, a historian with the Royal Historical Society in London; Saif Aljabri, representing the Omani Library Association and Chair of IFLA MENA; Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Library of Alexandria; 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 Constantinou, Deputy Dean and Director of Libraries at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Dubai International Library Conference 2024 will feature over 45 distinguished panel discussions, workshops, lectures, and interactive roundtable sessions. Topics to be covered include the preservation and restoration of archives, advancements in library systems and programs, intellectual property and copyright laws, the impact of artificial intelligence on libraries, strategies for sustainable libraries, and the role of philanthropy in ensuring access to books and information.