The Dubai Public Library (DPL), owned and managed by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirates dedicated Authority for culture, arts and heritage, will provide free educational sessions for librarians on a wide range of topics at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) from November 5 to 15, 2014 and the American Library Association (ALA) Conference running parallel to the fair from November 11 to 13 at the Expo Centre, Sharjah.

SIBF is a platform created to cultivate the love for literature among avid readers and literature enthusiasts. The 11-day book fair will feature popular authors and their publishers to present their literary works and interact with people.

Through the fair and conference, DPL will provide insights on best practices in managing libraries by tapping into the expertise of librarians and academia in the region and from other international markets, such as the United States.

Dubai Public Library has always played an integral role in serving as a creative space for the community that fosters intercultural dialogue and knowledge. Our participation at Sharjah International Book Fair and the American Library Association conference solidifies our commitment to the literary development of the community. We have a wealth of library resources, and endeavour to partner with relevant and credible institutions that facilitate cultural and literary activities to position Dubai as the vibrant, Arabian hub for culture and arts, said Abdulrahman Al Ibrahim, Head of Dubai Public Library, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

A wide range of topics such as latest trends and technologies, e-Resources, effective information management, training and development will be discussed with sessions targeting librarians, academia and several educational and government entities.

SIBF and the ALA conference provide a unique opportunity for librarians from across the region to network, share best practices and engage in interactive sessions with authors and celebrity speakers. Dubai Cultures partnership with the fair and conference is a testament to our position as a community-oriented centre to foster public education and knowledge, said Al Ibrahim.