Librarians and exhibitors can register at www.sibfala.com and Registration is free for librarians, library workers and exhibitors for the Sharjah Virtual International Library Forum through December 2020.

The Sharjah International Library Conference and the Sharjah Virtual International Library Forum are collaborations between the American Library Association (ALA), the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and the Combined Book Exhibit.

For information about library registration, contact ALA at [email protected]

For information about exhibiting virtually, contact Janet Fritsch, [email protected] or Jon Malinowski, [email protected]

Registration Opens September 7, 2020

Sharjah International Library Conference

Theme: Libraries Meeting the Challenges of the New Normal

Preliminary Conference Program (العربية)

08:00 - 09:00	Preconference workshop registration Conference payment and badge pickup
10:00 - 16:00	Sharjah Library Conference registration for Nov. 11 and Nov. 12

9:00 - 16:00

Welcome —

In this interactive workshop, attendees will learn how to successfully implement Project Outcome for Academic and Research Libraries. Project Outcome is a free toolkit that helps libraries measure four key learning outcomes – knowledge, confidence, application, and awareness – across seven library program and service areas via participant surveys. The survey topics cover: Instruction, Events/Programs, Research, Teaching Support, Digital & Special Collections, Space, and Library Technology. Project Outcome provides academic libraries of any size the means to easily measure outcomes in those areas and to use that data as the basis for continuous improvements and advocacy.

Prior to the workshop we recommend that participants register for Project Outcome, review basic materials in the toolkit, and consider a goal for outcome measurement at their library.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

• Measure meaningful learning outcomes using Project Outcome for Academic and Research.
• Use the Project Outcome for Academic Libraries toolkit to administer surveys, analyze results, and create reports.
• Understand how other libraries have used outcome data for action.
• Identify challenges and effective means of implementing outcome measurement to improve library services and advocacy.
• Discuss strategies for communicating key results to stakeholders.
• Develop an action plan for successfully implementing Project Outcome at your library.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is intended for all librarians, library staff, and library administrators who are interested in making improvements to the library’s programs and services. The workshop and focus of Project Outcome is particularly relevant to those who interact directly with library users and those who take part in library assessment practices. Attendees are not expected to have any assessment expertise or previous experience with Project Outcome.

This workshop is limited to 30 participants

Facilitator: Sue Hunter has served as Acting Manager of Library Services, University of Guelph-Humber, Canada, is a member of ACRL’s Project Outcome Editorial Board

Registration: 600 AED or $150 USD (lunch and breaks included)

9:00 - 16:00

Preconference II

Marketing can be a daunting process for many librarians, but it is essential, especially in these challenging times as you need to reach out and connect with your community and authorities in new ways. New technologies offer diverse avenues for promoting library services, and commercial marketing methods have become expected for libraries, too. Where do you start? What’s the best way to allocate your staff and financial resources? This workshop builds on and elaborates various marketing concepts and their applications for libraries.

The workshop will help you improve or marketing using strategies and promotional ideas to create an integrated marketing concept that will work best for you. The workshop includes case analysis and hands on work and discussion toward the development and improvement of your marketing plan.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

• Understand new trends and strategies in marketing in general and in libraries
• Make effective decision-makings in marketing management
• Understand elements of marketing plan and evaluation methods

Who Should Attend

The workshop is intended for library managers and librarians involved in or interested in marketing, communication and outreach in libraries.

Facilitator: Sherine Eid, Head of International Library Projects Unit, Library Sector at Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt. She received her MBA in Global Marketing from Paris ESLSCA Business School. She supervises marketing and consumer affairs to provide advertising, promotion and customer-relations support within rapidly changing and challenging technological, societal and institutional environment.

Registration: 500 AED or 125 USD (lunch and breaks included)

9:00 - 16:00

Preconference III

Standard practices in school libraries grow and evolve with the schools they serve. In this interactive workshop, participants will examine the American Association of School Librarians’ National School Library Standards and consider their implications for their own libraries. The facilitator will demonstrate how the interconnected frameworks for school librarians, school libraries, and learners work together to describe a vibrant library that fosters personal and academic growth.

Participants will investigate the Learner Framework and examine four domains of six Shared Foundations, analyze sample competencies, consider implications for library programming and instruction, work collaboratively to apply the standards to lessons and library programming, and select a starting point for personal learning and implementation.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

• Explain the structure and vocabulary of AASL’s National School Library Standards.
• Relate the standards, domains, and competencies to their existing school library practice.
• Apply the standards to learning and programming scenarios.
• Identify an existing personal strength and potential growth area
• Set personal learning goals.

Who Should Attend: This workshop is designed for practicing school librarians with any level of experience. School administrators and curriculum supervisors who supervise school librarians are welcome to attend.

Facilitator:

Mary Keeling, MSLS, EdS, is Supervisor of Library Media Services for Newport News City (VA) Public Schools. She chaired the AASL Implementation Task Force that developed a comprehensive three- year plan for launching AASL’s National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries in 2017. She is AASL’s immediate past president.

Registration: 500 AED or 125 USD (lunch and breaks included)

9:00 - 16:00

Preconference IV

National Libraries are crucial to governments and their national library community’s success during these challenging times, and for driving direction to the future.

This workshop for national library directors, managers, and staff will bring you together in these changing fluid times to discuss how everyone is responding, share best practices on services, staffing, resources, and more. And how what is happening now influences planning for the future roles and structures of national libraries.

This full- day workshop and interactive discussion is scheduled to be facilitated by the Company Secretary of the Royal Library of the Netherlands Gerard Bouwmeester.

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• Learn what other National Libraries are doing to meet challenges to provide service to meet the needs of government, public, and library community at this time.
• Find new ideas to implement related to safety, staffing and organization, and resources
• What best practices can be from the present pandemic, it is over?
• How the pandemic influences how we think of (the function of) our buildings. What do we offer our patrons ‘physically’ and virtually, and how do we do that?
• How to raise visibility of the National Library and the library community during this time

Who should attend

The workshop is only for national library directors, managers, and staff.

Facilitator (scheduled):

Gerard Bouwmeester, Company Secretary of the Royal Library of the Netherlands.

8:00 - 9:30	Registration Librarians’ Lounge, Sharjah Expo Centre Lobby
9:30 - 10:15	Welcome—

Ahmed Al Ameri
Chairman
Sharjah Book Authority

Opening and Keynote—“Meeting the Challenge in Times of Crisis”
ALA President Julius C. Jefferson Jr., Acting Chief, Researcher and Reference Services, Library of Congress

10:15 - 10:45	Break and Library Exhibits
10:45 - 11:40	Session A (concurrent programs)

I.Leading Staff Responding to the Challenge: Flexibility, Creativity, Reorganization and Wellness Care

The initial days of lockdown caused chaos and confusion for every library. Learn lessons from Shaikha Al Muhairi how the Library Department and her large staff were able to reorganize and relaunch their programs, services and operation and how they have become one of the most responsive and active part of the Department of Culture and Tourism during the continuing crisis helping meet the needs of their community. How under empathetic leadership library employees exhibit agility, flexibility, team-work means success for libraries.

Presenter:

Shaikha Al Muhairi, Director of the Libraries Department, Abu Dhabi Department for Culture and Tourism

II. Expanding School Librarians Role in Virtual Learning

School librarians must play a bigger role in virtual learning with more remote education going on. Three main areas are: provide more digital resources, support and train to teachers' and students' needs, and implement various applications for library virtual activities. The presenter will share how he is succeeding providing attendees with insightful strategies, tips, ideas, and resources.

Presenter:

Saeed Khalid, Librarian, Ibn Khuldoon National School, Bahrain

III. Collecting Arabic Language Materials: Trends and Tips

If your library is collecting books and other resources in Arabic, or looking to increase colleting in this area, this session will provide you with trends and tips to improve the quality of your collections. Having spent a career immersed in collection development of Mideastern and Islamic Studies, including now preparing the opening collection for the new Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai, presenter Hirsch will provide insightful information on publishers, authors and genres, distributors, and strategies.

Presenter:

David Hirsch, Advisor for Library Services, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Dubai

12:00 - 12:55

Session B (concurrent programs)

I. Ireland: A Model for Vitalizing Public Libraries

What roles are there for libraries in promoting information freedom? How can libraries and librarians make a difference in society? Learn how libraries are making an impact in various countries and regions.

Presenter:

Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development at the Local Government Management Agency, Ireland

II. School Librarians of the Year: Sharing Stories, Lessons, and Keys to Successes

This year’s recipients of the School Librarian of the Year Awards*, organized by the Emirates Literature Foundation, will show you how they created successful school library programs.

Presenters: TBA

III. "Do's and Don'ts for Successful Risk Management in Libraries"

The top priorities of any Library policies are the safety and welfare of people, preservation of collections, and continuity of services. But there is a probability for hazards or events that will have a negative impact on library values and objectives. Therefore, the library should take the procedures of addressing, and qualitatively and quantitatively interpreting all risks that may potentially arise. This presentation will give librarians the do’s and don’ts of risk management by covering key points that need to be addressed in order to fully reap the tremendous rewards of effective library risk management.

Presenter:

Emad Saleh, Professor, Information Science Dept., Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt. Vice president of the Arab Federation for Libraries & Information. Former director of Egyptian National Library.

13:00 - 14:00	Lunch and Library Exhibits
14:00 - 14:45	Poster Sessions

14:45 - 15:40

Session C (concurrent programs)

I. An Academic Library Reacts and Responds: A Study of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Library in Saudi Arabia

The Arab Federation of Library and Information presented an award to the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Library for its efforts during the COVID 19 crisis. Here from the director how she and her staff have managed to react and respond to the needs of their academic community.

Presenter:

Dr. Hanan Alsuqaih, Dean of Library Affairs, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University

II. School Libraries and Student Well-Being and Success During COVID

Students have had their world’s turned upside down. How as a school librarian and library program can you help with your student’s overall well-being and keep them moving forward academically and emotionally.

Presenter:

Dr. Huda Abbas, Library and Research Director, King’s Academy, Madaba, Jordan

III. Library Lightning Talks

Short presentations by multiple librarians on innovative activities of libraries during COVID

15:40 - 16:00	Break and Library Exhibits
16:00 - 16:55	Poster Session - Visual presentations of best practices

16:00 - 16:55

Session D (concurrent programs)

I. Library as Place: Responding and Reshaping During Covid

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) Library had just administered the LibQUAL+ Lite protocol in February 2020, closing the survey just days before students, and then faculty and staff moved off campus to an online and remote working phase. The LibQual+ survey measures three dimensions: Affect of Service, Information Control and Library as Place. In considering an action plan in response to the 'Library As Place' dimension of the survey, learn how AUS Library has weaved these plans into the re-opening and 'new normal' of post COVID19 academic library space provision.

Presenter:

Kara Jones, University Librarian, American University Sharjah, UAE.

8:30 - 9:00	Registration (and beverages and snacks)
9:00 - 9:45	Plenary Session – Presenter TBA

10:00 - 10:55

Session E (concurrent programs)

I. "Staff Development in Time of Covid and Beyond: challenges & opportunities"

Over the last few months, librarians, especially in public library demonstrated their expertise and show their best examples of how to engage with their users, this could only have been achieved through the continuous professional development of staff, which is critical and needed for library professionals. With the high expectations of users and the new trends in information technology, continuing professional development has become a necessity, especially in light of COVID-19. This presentation will highlight the best practices in continuing professional development and the opportunities available for librarians to expand their career.

Presenter:

Heba Mohamed Ismail, PhD, Libraries Technical Manager at Egypt's Society for Culture & Development, Secretary of IFLA Continuing professional Development and workplace learning Section (CPDWL)

II. Helping Adult Learners in Your Community: Workshops for Teachers, Faculty, Parents, and Others

As school, public, and academic libraries seek to expand engagement with their communities, workshops for adult learners can be a great way to build the library community. Especially at this moment. Yet, planning a workshop for adult learners is different from planning a lesson or program for children. As librarians seek to improve community life, they engage with their constituents on topics of immediate interest and concern, provide actionable learning experiences, and inspire participants to set personal goals. The program will provide you with a firm foundation and template for planning adult learning experiences.

Presenter:

Mary Keeling, Supervisor of Library Media Services for Newport News City Public Schools, Virginia, and Past AASL President

11:00 - 11:55

Session F (concurrent programs)

I. Government Libraries- Vital Resources During COVID for Officials –

Government agency libraries of all types have always been important for providing research, data, and report to government officials to make sound decisions, and to provide government information to the public. This has been even more vital during the pandemic. How are government libraries stepping up and responding and what do they have to offer to others in the library community.

Presenter

Julius Jefferson, Jr., President, ALA, Acting Chief, Researcher and Reference Services, Library of Congress

II. Strategic Partnering in the Time of COVID 19 and Beyond

Libraries can contribute in many ways through partnerships during the current crisis. Learn how the Library Department of Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi has partnered with local and federal entities, community groups, NGO’s to respond collaboratively during the Covid19 health crisis with both sides benefiting from the partnership. The Library Department’s proactive approach to partnership has increased awareness of the value of libraries in times of crisis and beyond. The main strategies can be adapted for all types of libraries within their communities.

Presenter

11:55 - 12:15

Break and Library Exhibits

12:15 - 13:15	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.
13:15 - 14:15	Lunch and Library Exhibits

14:30 - 15:30

Session G (concurrent programs)

I. Digitizing Your Valuable Collections for the World: Creating, Teaching, and Promoting Heritage and Community Collections

During the crisis many libraries are transforming important physical collections into dynamic digital ones to share beyond the library walls. Learn from The American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) in Jordan procedures and tools, and also insights into engaging new audiences through innovative outreach. And how partnerships with museums and others can assist in training staff new skills, and how staff can train the public and others (students, faculty) for their projects.

Presenters:

Jessica Holland, Archivist, American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR), Amman Jordan; Samya Khalaf Kafafi, Assistant Librarian, ACOR, Amman, Jordan

15:40 - 16:15	Close of Conference- A wrap up of the conference discussions conference presenters. Moderator: Michael Dowling, Director, International Relations Office, American Library Association
16:15 - 16:45	Distribution of Certificates