Qatar National Library Set to Welcome International Delegates for Six Days of Informative Sessions and Cultural Awareness
The Metropolitan Libraries (MetLib) 2016 Qatar conference, organised by Qatar National Library (QNL), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), will feature a host of insightful sessions centred on innovation within the information services sector, children’s services, and community and staff development.
The five-day MetLib 2016 Qatar programme aims to provide a professional development opportunity to librarians, and information services professionals. MetLib 2016 Qatar supports QF’s mission to build a progressive society as outlined in the Human Development Pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030).
Engineer Saadi Al Said, Director of Planning and Administration at QNL, said: “MetLib 2016 puts Qatar and the wider region on the international information services map, and will be a driving force for the development of metropolitan libraries in the region. We have carefully designed the programme in a way that allows participants from Qatar and abroad to not only initiate vital conversations, but also experience Qatar’s rich heritage, culture, and hospitality,” Al Said added.
The conference will get underway with the ‘Innovation in Library Services’ session. Through this session, participants will explore how libraries respond to community needs by adapting their service philosophies and highlight new best practices in the industry.
The ‘Community Learning’ session, to be held on the second day of the conference, will examine community learning spaces and new ways libraries can bring people together to acquire new skills in a shared space. The ‘Developing the Future through Children and Teen Services’ discussion will allow participants to explore innovative ways to stimulate creativity and imagination in children and youth.
Furthermore, vital topics focused on how libraries are developing their staff in order to create new modes of operations and new service paradigms will be discussed during the ‘Staff Development’ session.
Commenting on the unique opportunities MetLib 2016 Qatar is set to offer, Dr Claudia Lux, Project Director of QNL, said: “Being selected to host MetLib 2016 Qatar is indicative of the region’s growing influence and ability to become a key player in the global information services sector. This conference is set to present unprecedented opportunities for the information services sector and its strides towards embracing innovation within the sector.”
In addition to the sessions and presentation, participants will enjoy daily tours to various cultural and heritage sites in Qatar including Souq Waqif, Al Khor Dhow Harbour, and tour of Al Zubarah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delegates will get further opportunity to mingle with librarians in Qatar while touring a number of existing libraries in the country.
A trip to the Doha’s cultural hub, Katara, will give visitors the opportunity to experience traditional Arabic architecture while visitors will get a chance to browse an extensive collection of Islamic art books at the impressive Museum of Islamic Art.
The conference’s itinerary will also include a visit to Qatar National Library’s future home. Currently under construction and located in Education City, the 45,000 square meters building features state-of-the-art facilities designed by renowned architect, Rem Koolhaas.
On the final day of the conference a MetLib Committee Meeting will be held followed by a closing ceremony at Al Shaqab where participants will enjoy a special closing dinner and an equestrian show.
Mr. Corrado Di Tillio, Standing Committee Chair of IFLA Section on Metropolitan Libraries, said: “This will be the 48th conference, and the first one in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). For this reason it is a great occasion to focus on libraries and the library profession in this region, where precious cultural heritage and astonishing futuristic innovation live together.”
“Each year the MetLib conference brings a mix of inspiring presentations, library visits and social events. Our host, Qatar National Library, prepared a great programme which, I am sure, will be fruitful and enjoyable for all the participants,” Mr Di Tillo added.
MetLib 2016 Qatar will take place in Doha from 23rd – 28th April under the theme of ‘Pearls in the Desert: Unleashing Potential’, and is the first metropolitan libraries conference hosted in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
To register for the conference, please visit: www.metlib2016qatar.org/en/register
