Participants during the conference.
DOHA: The Katara Arabic Novel Library partook in a conference on information institutions and the preservation and accessibility of documentary and oral traditions amid digital transformations organised by the Egyptian Libraries, Information and Archives Association (ELA) in cooperation with the General Authority for Cultural Palaces (GACP) in Alexandria.
Qatar’s participation in the two-day conference aimed to strengthen the presence of the Katara Arabic Novel Library at regional and international related events, foster active engagement with peer institutions, and provide expertise and share knowledge and libraries, as the first library specialising in the Arabic novel.
It also aimed to benefit from Arab and international experiences and initiatives amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in ongoing digital transformations.
This included exploring AI applications in digital preservation, enhancing partnerships with leading libraries in the field, and reinforcing Katara Arabic Novel Library’s position as a specialised hub for Arabic novels.
The conference discussed several key topics, including digital preservation strategies, governance, ethical and legal policies related to archiving, and the nature of public-private sector partnerships in this domain.
The Katara Arabic Novel Library delegation visited the Bibliotheca Alexandrina to explore its vast collection of rare books and to meet with its officials to discuss opportunities for the mutual exchange of library resources and expertise.
The Library had previously participated in multiple conferences organised by the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information (AFLI) along with various other events related to library development across the Arab world.
The Katara Arabic Novel Library announced its upcoming participation in the 36th edition of the AFLI Conference, which will be hosted by Qatar later this year.
It will also take part in sessions of Arab library professionals at the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) set to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from August 18 to 22.
