Sharjah: The 12th Sharjah International Library Conference (SILC), organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA), convened over 400 library professionals, educators, and technology experts from 30 countries for its 2025 edition.
According to Emirates News Agency, the conference took place as part of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair at Expo Centre Sharjah. The three-day event served as a platform to address the future of libraries in physical and digital forms and celebrate their evolving role as hubs for knowledge, innovation, and sustainable community growth.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the SBA, in his opening remarks, expressed pride in hosting the conference alongside the American Library Association for the twelfth year. He highlighted their collaboration as a model for international cooperation in developing the library sector, strengthening Sharjah’s status as a global centre for dialogue on libraries, education, and culture.
Dr. Maria McCauley, ALA President-elect and Director of Libraries at Cambridge Public Library, delivered a keynote inviting the audience to reflect on the purpose, meaning, and impact of libraries. She described libraries as spaces of learning, healing, and peace, fostering a culture of access to information, empowering individuals, and strengthening community bonds.
Michael Dowling, Director of the Chapter Relations Office and International Relations Office at ALA, expressed gratitude to the sponsors making this year’s conference possible. He highlighted a special achievement of several ALA books translated into Arabic by the Emirates Libraries and Information Association (ELIA) through a translation grant from SBA, reinforcing cultural and literary collaboration between the organisations.
The first session of the conference, led by Dr. Sandra Hirsh from San Jose State University, focused on themes from her book ‘Library 2035: Imagining the Next Generation of Libraries’. Dr. Hirsh emphasised adaptability and community alignment as integral lessons from the past decade’s challenges.
Day one of the conference covered current and emerging trends across library settings, including public, academic, school, and special libraries. Topics included staff development, leadership training, promoting literacy, and integrating new technologies that enhance user experiences.
Day two will focus on practical solutions and case studies centered on organisational development and library innovations. Workshops and talks will highlight strategies for outreach, community engagement, and improving library services through traditional and digital tools.
The 2025 edition introduced new features such as a marketing poster wall for publishing businesses and a broader exhibition space. Exhibitors presented innovative tools for information management and user engagement, making the event an incubator for fresh ideas and digital transformation. The conference also offered the ‘Librarians’ Lounge’ for professionals to connect, network, and discuss evolving challenges such as digital equity and AI in cataloguing.