Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is gearing up for the fourth edition of the joint SIBF-American Library Association (ALA) conference, which is scheduled to take place in Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) in November. The authority’s preliminary organising of the event has seen it participate at ALA’s Annual Conference, which concluded recently in Atlanta, USA, where SBA representatives met with a host of book industry experts and international librarians.

SBA’s delegation met with its ALA counterparts at the event to discuss key points and programme details for the forthcoming edition of the joint library conference, which will be held on the side-lines of SIBF. The two sides addressed key expert participation and contributions, as well as the topics that will be the focus of its programme of workshops and seminars. 

“Sharjah aims to achieve its vision of enhancing the cultural sphere at the local and international level through participation at such events as the ALA Annual Conference in the USA, the most recent edition of which saw SBA promoting intellectual and cultural communication between Arab and non-Arab professionals in the book industry. The pre-conference meetings that were held to outline preliminary responsibilities, discuss key issues and establish the general structure of the fourth edition of the joint SIBF-ALA conference in Sharjah were extremely fruitful and set out a roadmap for both organisations to follow,” said Salim Omar Salim, Director of Sales and Marketing at SBA.

Salim reiterated that it was essential to build bridges of communication between all interested parties involved in libraries, the publishing market and the book industry in order to generate tangible, mutual benefits. He stated that the annual joint SIBF-ALA Library Conference has become one of the region’s most influential book industry events as a result of such partnerships, with the forum the only ALA conference held outside the USA.

The joint SIBF-ALA Annual Conference has established itself as the foremost activity for librarians and archivists on the regional annual calendar and brings together library professionals, media personnel, literary experts, publishers and book industry stakeholders from across the world to share new visions and ideas designed to develop libraries, increase their appeal and advance their user-friendliness. 

Established in 2014, SBA is dedicated to encouraging investment in creative industries and offering a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people from different countries and cultures. Entrusted with emphasising the significant role of writers and their influence in spreading awareness of technological advancement and the availability of various sources of knowledge, SBA aims to attract relevant bodies and figures operating in the cultural sector in general and the publishing, printing and translation of books in particular, with a special focus on literature for children.