Doha: The Seventh Arab Forum for Directors of Libraries and Information Centers in the Arab World concluded yesterday in Doha. Organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Arab Administrative Development Organization, affiliated with the League of Arab States, the five-day forum was held under the theme “Towards Optimal Investment in Information Infrastructure and Knowledge Technologies.”
The forum underscored the importance of investing in modern information and knowledge technologies, exploring strategies to advance library and information institutions, and ensuring they keep pace with rapid technological developments.
In this context, Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain, Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture, emphasised that hosting the forum for the first time in Qatar aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing the library sector. He highlighted Qatar’s efforts to adopt best practices, improve service quality, and strengthen libraries’ role as dynamic centers for knowledge and culture.
Al Buainain noted that the forum successfully showcased strategies for optimizing investment in information infrastructure and knowledge technologies. It also facilitated the exchange of expertise among library directors, information centers, and industry leaders, fostering the development of digital strategies to enhance institutional performance and expand knowledge-sharing opportunities across the Arab world.
The forum sessions addressed key topics, including the role of organizing information and knowledge as a strategic investment to enhance performance, increase productivity, and support innovation. Discussions also covered advancements in library and information management, the shift from traditional archives to digital repositories, and measures to improve the quality and accessibility of information for institutions and society.
