Qatar National Library’s catalogue of events in January welcomes 2021 with new discoveries in science and innovation, as well as several lectures on app development

Qatar National Library Welcomes the New Year with a Host of Learning Opportunities

29 December 2020

Qatar National Library welcomes the new year with a packed series of learning events to start 2021 with a brain-broadening bang.

On 4 January, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, patrons can learn the basics of app development with experts from the Library. Those in attendance will use the "App Inventor" program to create a map of landmarks in any city across the world, and gain insight on how to progress in this lucrative and rapidly expanding area of technology.

Also, on 6 January, again in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, patrons can join the special lecture “Astro Pi: Mission Zero.” Those under 18 can join this event to write a simple program to take a humidity reading onboard the International Space Station and communicate it to the astronauts with a personalized message.

On 11 January, members new and old can join the Library for an introductory session about the benefits of membership. Staff from the Library will outline the many advantages of becoming a member of Qatar National Library, and reveal information about borrowing policies, advice on using the self-borrowing stations and offer guidance on how to find books and other resources in the collection. This session takes place again on 25 January, and the Children’s Library is also conducting a special session on 28 January, focusing on children’s online resources.

On 12 January, individuals can join the Library for a discussion on Muslim Schools of Jurisprudence. In this panel, participants will discuss the reasons behind Jurisprudence differences and how these became an important resource of modern Muslim theories and philosophies of law.

Then on 14 January, Middle and High School students can join the Library for online database training. Those in attendance can discover and explore the Library's various online resources for students including research tools, eBooks, audiobooks and periodicals. Also, on 14 January, the Library will run a special expert lecture looking at how apps can make our lives more organized and effective, with current apps Trello, Todoist and Evernote in focus. Each of these programs can improve workflow planning, and this lecture will also show how to integrate each of the programs to make completing daily tasks easier than ever.

On 18 January, join the Library to learn more about Planet Earth. Physical geography is the branch of natural science which deals with the study of processes and patterns in the natural environment such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere. This lecture will guide attendees through the natural wonders of Planet Earth and discover more about the techniques of investigation and data analysis used by scientists to understand the world.

On 23 January, join the Scamper Thinking Program. The Scamper technique is one of the most successful methods of creative thinking, providing seven different approaches to problem-solving. Join experts from the Library to learn about this simple but effective approach which can be applied in both academic and personal lives.

On 25 January, the Library launches the Scientific Applications in Cultural Heritage Forum which continues until 30 January. The first session will focus on pigments and dyes in manuscripts and heritage objects and will include lectures and practical sessions on the most important techniques for analysis in conservation. The forum will also look at Arabic manuscripts and their extraction methods and dyeing processes, as well as the conservation issues encountered with pigments and dyes found in Islamic heritage items.

For more information on all of the events taking place in January, keep an eye on the Library’s website and social media channels for the latest.