Qatar- Innovation tops meet agenda

4/24/2016 9:53:38 PM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Experts taking part in a panel discussion on ‘The Role of Libraries in Unleashing Potential’ at the opening of the 48th Metropolitan Libraries (MetLib) Conference at Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday.

By Raynald C Rivera

DOHA: Promoting innovation in library services and enhancing community learning were among the subjects stressed at the opening of the 48th Metropolitan Libraries (MetLib) Conference yesterday at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

Hosted by Qatar National Library (QNL) the forum being held in the Middle East and North Africa region for the first time highlights the evolving function and the important role of the library and the information services sector.

“The library and information services industry is undergoing tremendous change and with change comes opportunities. Libraries should start providing professional development opportunities for their staff to fully unlock their potential towards better serving and developing their communities” Dr Claudia Lux Project Director QNL said as she opened the conference.

The forum she said “presents an opportunity for the region’s information service industry and its progress towards nurturing innovation and creativity. It serves as a platform for public and metropolitan libraries from around the world to exchange ideas share knowledge and address key challenges facing the industry.”

Engineer Saadi Al Said Director Administration and Planningat QNL said: “QNL hosting MetLib 2016 Qatar is an indication of Qatar and the wider region’s desire and ability to become a key contributor to the global information services industry. MetLib 2016 Qatar is aligned with the country’s commitment to develop a state-of-the-art library sector that offers innovative services to the local population.”

Corrado Di Tillo Standing Committee Chair Metropolitan Libraries Section International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) praised QNL for demonstrating “an exceptional delivery of information services” and said “it is on its way to becoming a knowledge hub in Qatar and the region”.

World-renowned architect Rem Koolhaas who designed QNL’s iconic building cited QNL as a departure from the traditional concept of a library where books are stored in shelves to a contemporary one as an amphitheatre of knowledge from a university to a national library for the whole society.

Koolhaas was speaking at a panel discussion on the role of libraries in unleashing potential. It also featured Dr Hend Al Muftah Vice-President Administration and Finance Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and Chairperson Establishment Committee for the Library and Information Association of Qatar; Dr Siobhan Reardon President and Director Free Library of Philadelphia; Dr Theo Kemperman Director and Board Chair Rotterdam Public Library the Netherlands; and Di Tillo. They shared innovative programmes and best practices of libraries in their countries to promote community engagement and learning in various sectors of society. The five-day event also provides delegates tours to local libraries and institutions to learn more about the progress Qatar’s information services sector has made.The Peninsula

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