Community Learning and Staff Development Key to Industry’s Progress
Progressing innovation within the information services sector to nurture creativity among children was one of the key themes discussed during the first few days of the 48th Metropolitan Libraries (MetLib 2016 Qatar) Conference.
Hosted by Qatar National Library (QNL), the event has seen leading local, regional and international industry professionals explore how best to harness new technologies to provide additional services and value to staff and communities.
The ‘Developing The Future through Children and Teen Services’ session highlighted the application of various innovations with which libraries can engage children to develop new skills not only in their studies, but throughout their lives.
Carol Mitchell, Head of Children’s Services at QNL, emphasised the need for librarians to ensure they fully understand their respective communities. “We need to identify the specific needs of the various segments of the population. Early learning is crucial to a child’s development and there is a diverse range of activities we can host to promote learning and development in a fun and engaging manner,” Mitchell said during her presentation.
In addition, the conference highlighted how libraries can invest in developing their staff to adapt to new innovations within the sector, identifying ongoing support and training as being crucial to keeping abreast of advancements within the information services industry.
Delivering a presentation entitled ‘Bring Them and Keep Them’, Katia Medawar, Head of Access Services at QNL, stressed the importance of ongoing training programmes as a means of advancing the information services sector. “In order to ensure staff are aware of the latest developments within the sector, it is crucial for us to create a culture of learning whereby we acquire new skills, assist with financing further studies, encourage learning through conferences, and involve staff in the decision-making process through forming various committees,” she said.
Medawar went on to highlight how QNL is creating an environment conducive to staff retention, ensuring equity in regards to promotion, professional development, success, and mentoring opportunities for its employees.
During the ‘Community Learning’ session, industry professionals revealed how they are actively driving public engagement through the services they offer, including implementing mobile libraries, community training and social events.
Throughout the conference, attendees have been taking part in stimulating conversations and visiting libraries across Qatar, while also taking in some of the nation’s various cultural attractions.
Held under the overarching theme of ‘Pearls In The Desert: Unleashing Potential’, MetLib 2016 Qatar is the first gathering of its kind to be held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
QNL is a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) and, through its hosting of MetLib 2016 Qatar, is supporting QF’s mission to foster a culture of knowledge acquisition and lifelong learning for the benefit of Qatar and the wider world.
