Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Opens Registration for 2024 Conference

Photo : Dubai government media office

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library has officially opened registration for the inaugural Dubai International Library Conference (DILC) 2024, a landmark event set to take place from November 15 to 17. This conference is poised to be one of the most significant gatherings in the library sector, both locally and internationally, under the theme "Our Libraries: Past, Present, and Future." Attendees can expect to hear from over 60 distinguished speakers from more than 25 countries, sharing insights and expertise.

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DILC 2024 aims to gather a prominent group of global specialists, professionals, and experts who will exchange ideas and share best practices within the library and information sector. Notable figures include His Excellency Dr. Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE; Dr. Saeed Mubarak Kharbash, CEO of the Arts & Literature sector at Dubai Culture & Arts Authority; and Fahad Al Maamari, Chairman of the Emirates Library and Information Association.

The conference will also feature prominent speakers such as Sharon Memis, President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA); Louis Coiffait-Gunn, President of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP); and Muhsin Al Musawi from Columbia University. Renowned writer and historian Dr. Sami Moubayed, along with Dr. Saif Aljabri from IFLA, Dr. Ahmed Zayed of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Dr. Heba Ismail from the Arab Federation for Libraries & Information will also contribute their insights.

The first day of the conference will include key sessions addressing significant themes such as "Embracing the Age of AI - Harnessing the Opportunities of a Digital Future" and "AI and the Library: A New Chapter," with contributions from experts across the globe. The second day will delve into topics like the role of library associations in developing professional skills, the significance of archives, and the future of academic libraries, along with discussions on sustainable practices within the library sector.

On the third day, attendees will explore the impact of digital transformation on leadership roles in libraries, the contribution of national libraries in shaping national identities, the importance of children's literature in public libraries, and how Open Access resources can enhance global knowledge. Additionally, the conference will discuss the evolution of libraries into the "museums of the future."

This inaugural conference seeks to underscore the crucial role of libraries in facilitating global knowledge exchange while reinforcing Dubai’s status as a cultural hub. It will also celebrate libraries as vital cultural and architectural monuments and showcase the diversity of knowledge and professional specializations they embody. The event aims to attract experts from around the world to discuss the future of libraries and the application of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence in their operations.

In conjunction with the DILC, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library will also host the 2024 Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO) in collaboration with the National Library and Archives of the UAE.