Sheikh Sultan allocates AED 4.5M to update Sharjah libraries with SIBF 2024 works

Photo : Sharjah Govt Media Bureau

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has allocated AED 4.5 million to support the development of Sharjah’s public and government libraries. This grant aims to enrich their collections with the latest books from the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024), ensuring that readers across Sharjah and the UAE have access to the latest works from Arab and international publishers. The SIBF 2024 brings together more than 2,500 publishers and exhibitors, showcasing a wide range of literary and scholarly contributions from around the world.

This annual initiative highlights Sheikh Sultan’s steadfast commitment to enhancing the book industry, advancing literacy, and broadening access to knowledge. By reinforcing the importance of libraries in promoting a knowledge-based society, this initiative plays a vital role in Sharjah’s broader cultural and educational vision. The move is in line with the emirate's ongoing efforts to cultivate a thriving intellectual ecosystem, fostering an environment where education, research, and culture can flourish.

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Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), commented on the significance of the grant, emphasizing the importance of maintaining modern and up-to-date library collections. She stated that this funding supports the SBA’s goal to elevate the publishing sector and bring cutting-edge knowledge and ideas into the community. “By enhancing the library collections with contemporary intellectual works, we are ensuring that Sharjah’s residents remain at the forefront of knowledge, discovery, and innovation,” Sheikha Bodour remarked.

She further noted that libraries are not just repositories of books, but transformative spaces that influence society’s trajectory, both in the present and in the future. She highlighted that Sharjah’s continuous investment in libraries and access to international publications aligns with the broader mission of publishers to make knowledge accessible to a global audience. Sheikha Bodour added that the Sharjah International Book Fair plays a key role in this mission by supporting publishers and encouraging the exchange of ideas across borders.

This grant will significantly expand the resources of Sharjah’s public and private libraries, adding thousands of new books that span a wide variety of genres, including science, technology, arts, and literature. It underscores Sharjah’s growing position as a global hub for knowledge-driven communities, fueling both local and international literary and scholarly exchange. This initiative further strengthens the emirate's commitment to advancing research, innovation, and cultural dialogue in the region and beyond.