Sharjah Public Libraries has introduced a seven-event cultural programme at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair, examining how libraries preserve knowledge, document history and connect generations of readers.
The initiative, titled “Library of Civilisation”, is being presented at Expo Centre Sharjah, where the fair opened on Wednesday under the theme “Made of Stories”. Its activities run across three strands: “Book in Focus”, “Behind the Scenes” and “The Big Book Club”.
Eman Bushulaibi, Director of Sharjah Public Libraries, said the programme would introduce visitors to the work of scholars, writers and researchers who have collected and transmitted knowledge across generations. It will also examine the stories behind manuscripts and published works, alongside the contribution of libraries to safeguarding heritage. The discussions are designed to make these processes accessible to visitors who may be familiar with books but less aware of the research and preservation work behind them.
Bushulaibi said encouraging younger people to understand library history was connected to developing reading habits and making better use of available knowledge resources. She emphasised the importance of libraries as places where readers can engage with researchers, discuss ideas and understand how information is produced and verified.
The programme combines historical discussions with practical accounts of research, writing and book collecting. Its first strand, “Book in Focus”, brings authors together with visitors to examine literary works and the historical experiences they document, particularly those associated with Islamic and Andalusian civilisation.
Writer and poet Sheikha Al Mutairi will discuss her book Days of Books during a session titled “Thus Spoke the Books” on Thursday, November 5, at 5pm. Al Mutairi, Secretary-General of the Emirates Writers Union, will draw on her professional experience working with books and cultural collections.
On Friday, November 6, at 5pm, Emirati author Ahmed Rashid Bin Fahad will discuss Granada After the Fall: The Story of an Undefeated People. His session, “Thus Spoke History”, will address the fall of Granada and the social and historical transformations associated with that period.
The strand will also feature Dr Mashhad Al Allaf, a professor at the University of Sharjah, on November 13. His presentation, “Thus Spoke Arabic”, will examine the influence of Arab civilisation on Western intellectual traditions and the movement of scientific knowledge and terminology from Arabic into Latin languages.
The second strand, “Behind the Scenes”, shifts attention from finished books to the methods involved in creating them. Sessions will cover locating sources, assessing manuscripts, documenting experiences and assembling reference collections, offering visitors a view of work that normally takes place before publication.
Dr Hamad Al Jabri will open this strand on Saturday, November 7, with “The Art of Travel Writing”. Drawing on journeys through Latin America, he will discuss how encounters with different communities and cultures can be developed into written accounts of travel.
On November 12, Dr Sami Al Naqbi, a professor at the University of Al Dhaid, will discuss the search for rare references in “Books That Shaped the Story”. His presentation will include his experience working with The State of Islam in Al-Andalus and locating material relevant to historical research.
Emirati writer and researcher Fahad Ali Al Mamari will lead “In Search of Rare Books” on November 14. He will describe building a library containing approximately 12,000 volumes and the challenges involved in identifying and obtaining uncommon publications and reference works.
Younger visitors will have a dedicated activity through “The Big Book Club”, organised with Khorfakkan Youth Centre. Scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 11am, the discussion will centre on The Pawned Dagger, a work presented in comic-book format, and encourage participants to examine storytelling through illustrations and text.
The wider book fair, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, continues until November 15. Its programme includes literary discussions, workshops and other cultural activities, while Oman is participating as guest of honour. A separate international library conference is scheduled for November 7 to 9.
Sharjah Public Libraries is also offering a discounted adult membership during the exhibition. Visitors registering at its stand in Hall 4, K2, can pay Dh75, including value added tax, instead of the usual Dh160 annual fee. The offer is available to those joining during the fair and provides access to library services beyond the exhibition dates.
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