(program will be updated and subject to change)
| 9:00 - 16:00 | Preconference I (Separate Registration Fee) Entrepreneurs Need Libraries: How to Develop Your Entrepreneur Center |
| Preconference II (Separate Registration Fee) Collaborating communities: the RDA experience and its implications for common information environments |
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| Preconference III (Separate Registration Fee) Exploring Picture Books using the Whole Book Approach (half day preconference 9:30-12:30 plus lunch) |
| 8:30–9:30 | Registration Librarians’ Lounge, Sharjah Expo Centre Lobby |
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9:30–10:15  |
Welcome and Opening Keynote Emily Drabinski, ALA President
Associate Professor at the Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, United States. |
| 10:15–10:45 | Break and Visit Exhibits |
| 10:45–11:40 | Session A (concurrent programs) |
AI and Libraries: Impact, Challenges, and Opportunities
The concept of artificial intelligence is no longer just a figment of our imagination; it is now a reality that is transforming our daily lives and how we conduct business. Its potential to revolutionize industries, solve complex issues, and enhance efficiency is enormous. The presentation will delve into the history of AI, its possible impact on libraries, and examples of how it is currently being used in various fields. Additionally, it will provide suggestions on how to incorporate AI in a responsible manner, especially how AI has the capacity to revolutionize both teaching and learning. And how librarians are utilizing AI to enhance classification systems, improve search and recall accuracy, evaluate digital collections, identify subjects, and add metadata.
Presenter:
Dr. Al-Anoud Subahi,
Assistant Professor and a Supervisor of IT Department at King AbdulAziz University,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Students Rebuild: Global Art-ivism Projects
How can you continue to connect and nourish your students interest in reading, research and their creative side. Through Global Art-ivism they learn and research about a global topic, make personal connections, and then explore the topic through creating art. Learn how impactful this project can be in your library and school. This session is for all types of libraries that may have patrons interested in this project.
Presenter:
Carolyn Vibbert,
School Librarian, Sudley Elementary School
Prince William County Public Schools, Virginia, U.S.A.
| 11:45–12:40 | Session B (concurrent programs) |
The library as a sustainable creative source, ITHRA Library as a model
Since opening in 2018, Ithra has been the leading cultural and creative destination and cross-cultural experiences in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It serves as a window to global experience through the pillars of culture, creativity, community, art, and knowledge celebrating human potential and empowering creativity. This presentation will show Ithra is promoting sustainable development through inspiring workshops, performances, and events.
Presenter:
Tariq Khawaji,
Cultural Consultant,King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (ITHRA).
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ali Al-Saadi,
Library Systems & Technical Services Specialist, King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (ITHRA).
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Nadine Achkar,
MEA Country Manager II, Global Libraries & Education, Overdrive.
Gen Alpha's Digital Reading Experience: Know your audience
Libraries work to enhance and encourage the use of information by providing resources, tools, platforms, services, and environments that help users. To achieve this goal, libraries must work with several generations of users, accurately identifying each generation's characteristics, habits, and behaviors and adapting its services and tools in line with the nature of each. This talk will address the identification of the behaviors and habits of the most recent generations of users (Gen Alpha) and their experience with digital reading, how libraries can benefit from this to promote reading and enhance the benefit from their resources, and what are the challenges they must deal with.
Presenter:
Dr. Emad Saleh,
Professor & Head, Department of Information Science,
Helwan University, Egypt
Challenges in Developing School Library Collections
The UAE Ministry of Education continues to further develop school libraries in the country, continuing the transformation into learning resource centers that enhance and support reading skills. This program looks at developing library collections within the governmental policies for appropriateness that are diverse, representative, and engaging.
Presenter:
Dr. Fawzia Gilani-Williams,
Cluster Lead Librarian, Bloom Charter Schools, Al Ain, UAE
Wadha Juma Al Shamsi,
Learning Resources Specialist, Mohammed Bin Khaled Basic Education School, Al Ain, UAE
| 12:40–13:40 | Lunch and Library Exhibits |
| 13:45–14:40 | Session C (concurrent programs) |
Fostering Library Scholarship: Literature Awards and their Contributions to the Field.
In this presentation, we plan to delve deep into the world of library literature awards and their influence on the advancement of the field. One of the key components of our presentation will be an analysis of the Sharjah Library Literature Award as a case study
Eman Bushalaibi
Director, Sharjah Public Library, UAE
Sustainability: Programming Ideas and Practices for Your Library
Sustainability in libraries is a topic of great importance as we experience the effects of climate change and look for ways to live in greater harmony with the living world. Through sustainability programming, we can support our communities and help inspire new habits in our library patrons. This presentation will cover foundational programming ideas that any library can implement to draw interest and excitement about sustainability practices. With fun filled, engaging, and collaborative programming, we can encourage changes in our mindsets and live more sustainably.
Presenter:
René Tanner,
Science Librarian and Head of Research Services and Associate Professor,
Rollins College, Winter Haven, Florida, U.S.A.
Creative Programming: Learning Centers and Library Standards
Looking to shake up your library program or find new ways to engage learners while addressing school library standards? Learning centers are focused, self-directed activities set up in different areas of the library where learners can work independently or collaboratively. The author of Learning Centers for School Libraries and Project-Based Learning for Elementary Grades, part of the American Association of School Libraries Standards-Based Learning Series, will discuss the benefits of learning centers and how they can be adapted to various settings and budgets. Participants will leave with a sample learning center chapter and ideas to use in their libraries. This session is suitable for PK-12 school librarians and public youth services librarians.
Presenter:
Maura Madigan,
Librarian, North Springfield Elementary School,
, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia, U.S.A
| 14:45–15:30 | Poster Session - Visual presentations of best practices |
| 15:30–16:25 | Session D (concurrent programs) |
In progress: How continuing development shapes your professional future?
With the evolving needs of the communities, the role of librarians must evolvetoo. Perhaps the most prominent evidence of that is Covid-19 period, and how librarians played an essential role at that time. Therefore, gaining new skills is necessary nowadays through continuing professional developments to suit the changes of the era in which we live.
This presentation will highlight the importance of continuing professional development (CPD) for librarians; examples of CPD programs, resources available to support them as they upskill; how to create your portfolio of professional development to reach a knowledge goal-skill level.
Presenter: Dr. Heba Mohamed Ismail,
Vice President of the Arab Federation of libraries and Information (AFLI), member of IFLA Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning Section (CPDWL). Dr. Ismail works as Libraries Technical Manager at Egypt's Society for Culture and Development, Egypt.
Artificial Intelligence and Multimedia facilities in school libraries -Possibilities for the future
This presentation discusses the role of latest technologies in present day school libraries, highlighting the possibilities of the application of Artificial Intelligence in the school library along with the effective use of the latest visual media facilities.
Presenter:
Raghunathan. M.O,
Senior Librarian at GEMS Modern Academy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
| 8:30–9:00 | Registration (and beverages and snacks) |
| 9:00–9:55 | Session E (concurrent programs) |
Libraries Empowering Climate Action: Policy, advocacy, and practice
Libraries are in a unique position to engage in climate empowerment- helping their users learn about climate change, engage in climate research, and make more sustainable choices. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has been helping bring library perspectives to international climate change conferences. This includes inviting several librarians from the MENA region to the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
This presentation looks at IFLA’s work on climate change, engaging with international policy processes and building capacity among its members. It will highlight how librarians, libraries, and library associations can engage with IFLA in this work, advocating regionally, nationally, and locally and adopting practice-based initiatives.
Claire McGuire,
Policy Officer, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA),
Netherlands
| 10:00-10:55 | Concurrent Session F |
ChatGPT in the Library?: Opportunities in Library Instruction and Research
In this interactive session, the presenter will highlight how AI tools have already been embedded in libraries long before the arrival of ChatGPT in November 2022. It will offer a critical perspective on the issues that will start occurring from the use of such technologies for library instruction and research, especially in school and academic libraries. ChatGPT and other generative AI tools hold promises, risks, and concerns and scholarship, especially impacting student learning and access to information. Join the discussion and share your thoughts and ideas on these tools in libraries.
Presenter:
Dr. Ray Pun,
Academic and Research Librarian,
Alder Graduate School of Education,
California, United States
School Librarians of the Year: Sharing Stories, Lessons, and Keys to Successes
In addition to reading programming, writing programs and workshops present an opportunity to engage with your community. Get ideas from the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) Creative Writing Program. Their initiatives include a series of interactive lectures and workshops for both youth and adults to develop creative writing skills in the Arabic language in several areas.
Presenter:
Sabha Ahmed AlAmeri,
Technical Services Section Head.
Sara Mohammed AlSaadi,
Development Specialist, United Arab Emirates.
Providing students with support for life’s challenges through books
School librarians can make a difference as students face life challenges. Learn how the presenter created two books herself that she offers to students encountering bullying or game addiction. This bibliotherapy has proven successful in helping students through tough times. Join the discussion on ideas and suggestions to help struggling students through books and conversations.
Presenter:
Raja Husni Al Bayyari
Librarian, Emirates National School, MBZ Campus, United Arab Emirates.
| 10:55-11:25 | Break and Exhibits |
| 11:30-12:30 | Knowledge Café |
| An opportunity for one on one and group discussions with experts and colleagues to ask, answer, discuss different issues and challenges going on in libraries. Come away with knowledge, ideas, and strategies to move yourself and your library forward. | |
| 12:30-13:30 | Lunch and Library Exhibits |
| 13:35-14:30 | Session G (concurrent programs) |
Creating a Business, Careers and Research Center at Your Library
Libraries of all types can play an essential role as the Connector between their local community and the resources that they need to be successful, both personally and professionally. Public libraries can boost their local economies and academic libraries can assist students by providing the necessary resources to for those seeking career development and employment, considering small business start-up or growth, looking to further their education and help with other important critical needs. This session will provide ideas and best practices on how to create a scalable Business, Careers and Research Center at Your Library.
Presenter:
Diane Luccy,
Business and Careers Manager, Richland Library,
Columbia, SC, USA
Acting Head of the Quality Improvement Unit, Library Sector at Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt
Tools and Resources Assisting Students and Faculty
This session will provide short presentations on tools and resources being used in academic libraries to assist students and faculty with studies, research, publications, and overall knowledge. Virtual reality (VR) technologies have become increasingly popular and libraries around the world have started to adopt them. Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) has embraced the new technology and will share the experience and challenges. Insights will be shared on the preparatory steps and infrastructure needed to introduce VR in the library, from selecting the right equipment to training staff, developing guidelines, finding apps, and more. And future plans for the technology will be shared. The United Arab Emirates University is increasingly concentrating on research activities and open access publication. The UAEU Library has been redesigning its strategy by adding more research support tools and services assisting the publications process and raising its own visibility on campus.
Presenter:
Tatiana Usova,
Director of Carnegie Mellon University Qatar Library, Qatar
Khalid Pasha,
Librarian Specialist I, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates.
Project-Based Learning: Transforming Teaching and Learning
Find out how you can transform teaching and learning in your library while helping to build resiliency and critical and creative thinking skills. Project-based learning (PBL) is a type of experiential learning in which learners take an active role in their education. The projects and sample ideas featured are most suitable for K-8 learners, but high school librarians will also benefit from learning how to collaborate with and support teachers to facilitate PBL Projects. Public Librarians can adapt these project ideas for use in child/youth services programming and makerspace activities.
Presenter:
Maura Madigan,
Librarian, North Springfield Elementary School,
Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia, U.S.A
| 14:35–15:05 | Poster Session |
| 15:10-16:05 | Session H (concurrent programs) |
Library Association: Resources and Opportunities for You
In The Emirates Library and Information Association, the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information, the American Library Association, and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions will provide an wealth of information on resources to help you, and ways to can benefit from being involved.
Presenter
Dr. Heba Mohamed Ismail
Vice President of the Arab Federation of libraries and Information (AFLI), Egypt
Claire McGuire
Policy Officer, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Netherlands
Fahd Ali Al-Mamari
Chairman, Emirates Libraries and Information Association (ELIA), United Arab Emirates
Michael Dowling
Director, Chapter Relations and International Relations Office, American Library Association, United States.
| 16:10-17:00 | Conference Closing Session Distribution of Certificates |
