The second edition of the joint conference between Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and the American Library Association (ALA) opens today (Wednesday) at the Expo Centre until November 12. The three day event will host 330 librarians from 18 countries with expert speakers delving into topics of importance for professionals in public, academic and government libraries.In opening the conference HE Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the organisation overseeing SIBF, welcomed delegates from America, the UAE and the region. He said, “This is the first time the joint ALA/SIBF conference is being hosted under the auspices of the Sharjah Book Authority. The conference aims to empower the people who work in this field from all over the world, to achieve more success and excellence in their work. Last year we met for the first time here and it was a good opportunity for us to look for solutions on how to develop libraries, and keep them as a leading source of knowledge, education, and culture.”Al Ameri introduced ALA President Sari Feldman, Executive Director, Cuyahoga County Public Library System (CCPL), Ohio who gave the conference keynote address on the subject “Libraries Transform”.
Feldman said there were many ways libraries transform by supporting exploration that drives individual opportunity and that libraries also transform communities by providing information and resources that advance societal progress. “They transform by educating and facilitating. They transform by inspiring,” she said, “We can also understand the “libraries transform” message as a reflection on the ways in which libraries evolve to meet changing needs. From technology integration to a more outcome-intensive focus, libraries have transformed over time to keep pace with a dynamic knowledge economy.”
Libraries can transform, she said, when we understand and acknowledge the trends affecting the people and communities we serve. Through paying attention to these trends our libraries can be set on a successful course for the future, Feldman added. Furthermore libraries are committed to advancing their legacy of reading while developing a more digitally inclusive society. “Libraries are partners in learning - helping teachers build robust curriculum and providing researchers with access to data and information,” she said.
Feldman outlined some of the important trends affecting libraries today with privacy being a major concern with people’s activity being tracked online. Feldman said, “For libraries to flourish as centers for uninhibited access to information and learning, librarians must stand behind their users' right to privacy and freedom of inquiry. This is why it’s critically important for libraries to play a role in educating our customers about the ways they can best protect their privacy when they are online and using digital devices.”Another trend, according to Feldman is the increasingly digital world people live in and helping everyone to have access and inclusivity is an area libraries can be proactive. “Digital inclusion is all about equitable access to Internet-connected devices and online content as well the skills needed to take advantage of the educational, economic and social opportunities associated with technology. According to the latest Pew research, nearly all public libraries in the US provide free wifi access, but it goes further than that: virtually all public libraries now offer access to ebooks in addition to basic digital literacy training.”
Self-publishing is another trend libraries in America are at the forefront of, says Feldman as content creation expands into self-publishing. “University libraries are becoming the hub of academic publishing. School libraries have a tradition of student publishing and web design. Support for self-publishing strengthens the library’s role as community connector. We’re making content generated by members of our local community available to other members of that community.”“People still think of libraries as quiet places to find a book or study. The truth, of course, is that we are a lifeline for people at every key transition in their lives, schools, universities and general public. We want libraries across the country to post about Libraries Transform via social media. The idea is to amplify the message to communities, campuses and schools in the United States to raise awareness of the bold, provocative, exciting, and important work being done in libraries today,” she added.
Feldman ended her address by saying, “Transforming ourselves, transforming our organizations and transforming our image is how we will move boldly into the future. We must demonstrate that libraries are neither obsolete nor simply nice to have - we must demonstrate that libraries are essential. Whether it’s through Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Empowerment or Engagement, libraries advance individual opportunity and community progress. Let’s spark progress together - let’s show the world how libraries transform.”