Kuwait- Metropolitan libraries conf. opens in Doha

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) DOHA April 24 (KUNA) -- The 48th Metropolitan Libraries (MetLib 2016) Conference themed "Pearls in the Desert" opened on Sunday at the Qatar National Convention Center with Kuwait participating.

The conference hosted by Qatar National Library (QNL) is the first such being held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region; it brought together Senior representatives from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) which represents the global voice of the library and information services professions.

The opening ceremony gathered President of Community Development at Qatar Foundation for Education Science and Community Development (QF) Fahad Al Qahtani Director General of Kuwait National Library Kamel Al Abdul-Jalil Director of Bahrain's National Library at the Isa Cultural Center Dr. Mansoor Sarhan Prof. Rem Koolhaas - the architect and the designer of QNL's building and QNL Director Dr. Claudia Lux.

Addressing the gathering Dr. Lux said: "We are honored that Qatar National Library has been chosen to host MetLib 2016 Qatar." "This conference presents an extraordinary opportunity for the region's information service industry and its progress towards nurturing innovation and creativity. It serves as an important platform for public and metropolitan libraries from around the world to exchange ideas share knowledge and address key challenges facing the industry today" Qatar News Agency (QNA) quoted her as saying.

"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. Lux continued.

On his part Eng. Saadi Al Said director of Administration and Planning at QNL said: "Qatar National Library hosting MetLib 2016 Qatar is a true 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 fully aligned with the nation's commitment to develop a state-of-the-art library sector that offers innovative services to the local population" he noted.

"For the first time in the history of MetLib we are honoured to welcome colleagues and representatives from libraries in the Gulf region namely from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates Bahrain Kuwait and Qatar" he added.

Meanwhile Standing Committee Chair of the Metropolitan Libraries Section in IFLA Corrado Di Tillo said: "Qatar National Library has demonstrated an exceptional delivery of information services and is on its way to becoming a knowledge hub in Qatar and the region." "In the conference's 48-year history this is the first time that it is being hosted in the MENA region where cultural heritage and astonishing futuristic innovation co-exist. "MetLib 2016 Qatar marks a very special year for the conference and IFLA as it expands its global representation ushering in a new era for libraries in the Middle East" Di Tillo added.

As part of the opening ceremony a well-attended panel discussion highlighting the role of libraries in unleashing potential was held.

The session moderated by Dr. Lux featured seasoned experts including Dr. Hend Al Muftah Vice President of Administration and Finance at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and Chairperson of the Establishment Committee for the Library and Information Association of Qatar Dr Siobhan Reardon President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia Dr. Theo Kemperman Director and Board Chair of Rotterdam Public Library the Netherlands Professor Rem Koolhaas and Corrado Di Tillo. (end) nnd.gb