Throughout its platform at Cairo International Book Fair 2024, the National Library and Archives showcased the future and aspirations of Emirati libraries

Mr. Hamad AlHamiri, the Director of Research and Knowledge Services Department at the National Library and Archives presented a lecture during the NLA participation in the 55th Edition of the Cairo International Book Fair. The lecture, entitled “The National Library…Visions and Aspirations”, illustrates the visions and aspirations of national libraries in the UAE, their new initiatives, and the structure of information, policies and regulations that contribute to organizing library operations in the country. Additionally, the lecture underlines the methods of preserving knowledge production that align with the UAE cultural agenda. Mr. AlHamiri argues that the creation of the National Library was inspired by the previous experiences of advanced global libraries. He also states that the efforts to establish the National Library began in accordance with the Federal Law No. (13) of 2021 on merging the National Library with National Archives.
Mr. AlHamiri points out that the National Library is working on issuing an executive regulation to be used as a model by other libraries in the country. Moreover, AlHamiri adds that the National Library is entrusted with the tasks of preserving the legacy and cultural creativity and making knowledge accessible to the public.
The lecture demonstrated the importance of the National Library, which stems from the significance of maintaining knowledge, intellectual production and cultural heritage of the UAE. This includes its role in preserving references, sources, periodicals, and manuscripts, and then storing them in modern, suitable facilities for accessibility to researchers and those interested in the UAE history. The National Library also plays a major role in creating standard Emirati indexes, focusing on highlighting national bibliographical records and limiting various information resources. Moreover, it contributes to preserving as much material as possible within the country through international standard number agencies (ISBN) for books and periodicals, serving as a resource in the memory of the world.
In his lecture, Mr. AlHamiri revealed the NLA’s efforts in providing a digital informational database, electronic warehouses available to researchers, and laboratories for innovation and creativity for young people to support their interests, activities, ambitions and innovation.
The lecture concluded that the National Library has a great cultural role in preserving the cultural legacy and knowledge of the UAE. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in the proper cultural and national upbringing of generations, encouraging them towards more creativity and innovation. Thus, the National Library will serve as a cultural and regional beacon among the world’s advanced and developed libraries.