The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the National Library and Archives, has announced the establishment of a nationwide network of public libraries in the UAE. This initiative aligns with the UAE government’s development strategy and aims to promote sustainable human development. It seeks to foster a culture of reading as a fundamental aspect of daily life for all Emirati citizens by offering innovative solutions and resources.

The collaboration aims to develop and modernise the programmes and services of libraries affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, integrating them into the public reading network overseen by the National Library and Archives.

The goal is to transform the libraries into centres of service and entertainment while updating and diversifying their knowledge content to cater to all segments of society. Additionally, the collaboration will implement reading programmes, activities, and joint initiatives in library, information, and archive management. It will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and institutional experiences at all levels, thereby advancing the common interests of both parties. This partnership will strengthen collaboration and establish a robust national information system across the UAE.

This partnership will contribute to achieving the Ministry’s objectives, which include leading, promoting, and implementing initiatives related to promoting the Arabic language and reading. It will also mobilise and coordinate national efforts to enhance national identity and to preserve and promote national cultural heritage both locally and globally, recognising it as an integral component of national identity.

His Excellency Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, said: “The Ministry is dedicated to realising the UAE government’s vision and national reading strategy by continually promoting a culture of reading and connecting all members of society with books. This commitment stems from the belief that societal progress is closely tied to knowledge, innovation, and critical thinking. The collaboration is part of ongoing sustainable efforts to elevate the status of books and enhance the role of libraries in providing society with knowledge resources, preserving national achievements, and making reading a fundamental societal habit and way of life. The goal is to build an ideal model for an empowered, reading-oriented society.”

He added, “This collaboration will enhance and support the cultural and knowledge infrastructure of the UAE, encouraging all members of society to engage in reading and integrating this practice into their daily lives. It also aims to improve the cultural foundation of future generations, strengthening their knowledge and experiences to enable them to lead the country’s future, equipped with science, knowledge, and creativity.”

His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director-General of the National Library and Archives, said: “Through this agreement, we aim to enhance the ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and the National Library and Archives. This agreement gains significance as it seeks to activate the public reading network, which is central to the National Library’s objectives. Furthermore, the libraries will expand their electronic services and access to information and data through the public reading network. They will also enrich their collections with the support of the National Library and Archives.”

He added, “We recognise the critical role of collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange in the cultural sector to achieve success and excellence, as well as to fulfil our vision and mission of empowering and enriching knowledge societies, which aligns with our aspirations for continuing to build a knowledge-based economy. We are optimistic about making significant strides by leveraging modern technologies in our joint endeavours and by sharing successful and distinguished experiences among our partners.

“Considering the Ministry of Culture’s role in enhancing cultural awareness across society, we are committed to bridging the gap between library users and intellectuals, researchers, and the national heritage that we collect, preserve, and make accessible for future generations. We are confident that the national events and activities organised by the National Library and Archives foster a sense of national belonging and loyalty to our visionary leadership, which continually fosters conditions for excellence.”

His Excellency emphasised the significance of collaboration in harnessing modern and advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and digital solutions, which have become pivotal in advanced library settings. He commended the Ministry of Culture for its efforts in facilitating this agreement and highlighted its pivotal role within the UAE. Additionally, he underscored the Ministry’s efforts in fostering constructive and beneficial cultural relations with similar entities beyond the UAE.

As part of the collaboration, the Ministry will partner with the National Library and Archives to gather and safeguard the nation’s intellectual output. This effort aims to establish a national library serving as an intellectual archive, preserving and cataloguing all forms of intellectual production within the country. The initiative seeks to safeguard this repository from damage or loss while ensuring public access and availability for future generations. Additionally, the collaboration will extend to organising joint cultural events, conducting training sessions, and arranging seminars and conferences in specialised fields.

In turn, the National Library and Archives will collaborate with the Ministry to enhance the skills of its library staff in library and information sciences. It will also enrich the Ministry’s library collections by adding new printed and electronic titles. Furthermore, the National Library and Archives will offer consultancy services to the Ministry, focusing on administrative and technical aspects related to libraries and archives, adhering to industry standards and specifications. Additionally, the collaboration will include organising cultural events, conducting training sessions, and arranging seminars and conferences in specialised fields.