Doha: Qatar National Library (QNL) has unveiled the 2024 Annual Report of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Middle East and North Africa (IFLA) Regional Office. The report marks a pivotal year marked by growth, collaboration, and impact in enhancing library services, professional development, and knowledge exchange across the MENA region.
According to Qatar News Agency, Qatar National Library was officially designated as the host of the IFLA MENA Regional Office during the 2023 IFLA World Library and Information Congress. The official signing ceremony, held in December 2024 at QNL, featured a series of capacity-building workshops, reinforcing the Library's role in advancing regional and global cooperation.
The Annual Report showcases several milestones achieved during the Office's inaugural year. Notably, the Librarians for Libraries training program was launched, attracting 1,259 registrants from 31 countries. This program offered 16 specialized workshops delivered by expert trainers from nations including Oman, Syria, Egypt, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Qatar. These sessions facilitated knowledge exchange and supported professional growth throughout the region.
A significant accomplishment is QNL's leadership in updating Qatar's data for the IFLA Library Map of the World, a global initiative that visualizes the presence and impact of libraries worldwide. Since September 2024, QNL has coordinated a national effort involving 400 libraries, achieving a response rate of 80.7 percent with participation from government and private school libraries, academic institutions, as well as special and public libraries.
The report also highlights the Library's impactful capacity-building initiatives, such as the Emerging Librarians Program, a training hosted at QNL for students from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. This program, blending theoretical instruction with practical application, provided participants with exposure to key departments, including Heritage, Digitization, and Conservation, along with curated cultural site visits. The initiative gained international recognition, with the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals inviting QNL to share its experience in an article featured by the institute's ILIG Focus publication.
Tan Huism, Executive Director of Qatar National Library, remarked that these initiatives reflect the growing role of libraries in supporting communities in a multitude of ways, whether through life-long learning, access to knowledge, creative and cultural events, or community building.
As host of the IFLA MENA Regional Office, QNL remains committed to promoting regional cooperation to support knowledge exchange, cultural preservation, and innovation across the region. Eiman AlShamari, Acting Manager of the National Collection at Qatar National Library and the Manager of the IFLA Middle East and North Africa Regional Office, noted that this year has demonstrated the potential of coordinated regional efforts in fostering a vibrant community of librarians sharing the same values.
Building on last year's success, QNL plans to expand its training offerings, launch new collaborative initiatives across the MENA region, and establish regular strategic dialogue with IFLA to align global priorities with regional needs to support the development of library services across the Arab world. Qatar National Library continues to pursue its role as a regional hub for innovation, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing, empowering library professionals and institutions to further advance their mission.