Sharjah’s Ruler Strengthens Community Access to Knowledge with Major Library Investment

A significant allocation of AED4.5 million will enrich public and government libraries across Sharjah with contemporary publications from the world's leading publishers, reflecting the emirate's unwavering commitment to cultivating a knowledge-based society.

The 45th Sharjah International Book Fair, unfolding across November at Expo Centre Sharjah, has prompted H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to direct an investment that speaks to the enduring power of literature and learning within the emirate’s cultural fabric. The AED4.5 million allocation will fund acquisitions of the latest publications from the 3,212 publishers and exhibitors gathered from 126 countries for this year’s fair, ensuring that Sharjah’s libraries remain repositories of contemporary thought and diverse knowledge across every discipline imaginable.

Beneath this decision lies a philosophy that has long animated Sharjah’s cultural identity: the belief that books form the foundation upon which societies build their intellectual capacity. The fair itself, themed “Made of Stories”, draws together more than 1.7 million titles spanning science, literature and countless fields of human knowledge, whilst hosting over 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events. Among the participants are 106 writers and artists from 25 countries, transforming the fair into a gathering of global creative significance.

H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, articulated the deeper significance of this investment, noting that books realise their true value only when they circulate among readers and find permanent homes in libraries, educational institutions and cultural organisations. The grant, she observed, offers direct support to the publishing industry whilst simultaneously enabling Sharjah’s libraries to expand their collections with publications that reflect the richness of different cultures, languages and intellectual traditions. This renewal of library collections strengthens their vital role in nurturing knowledge-based communities and supporting the emirate’s broader cultural development.

The initiative reflects continuity with the Ruler’s ongoing championing of literary excellence and emerging creative voices, positioning knowledge and intellectual growth as central to Sharjah’s identity. By ensuring that readers, researchers and students have access to a continuously refreshed array of resources, the allocation embodies a vision in which investment in knowledge becomes a vehicle for developing people and their capabilities. The inclusion of the Sultanate of Oman as this year’s guest of honour further reinforces the fair’s status as a platform for cultural exchange and meaningful engagement among creative professionals and readers worldwide.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

While rooted in Sharjah, this commitment to expanding library collections and strengthening access to knowledge resonates across the emirates, affirming the UAE’s dedication to fostering societies built upon intellectual engagement and cultural sophistication. The investment demonstrates the leadership’s recognition that libraries remain essential institutions for community development and the nurturing of informed, thoughtful citizens capable of engaging with the complexities of contemporary life.

The allocation also underscores a broader regional vision in which publishing, translation and the preservation of knowledge form pillars of cultural development. By supporting publishers and enriching library collections with diverse international perspectives, the initiative reinforces the UAE’s position as a hub where cultural exchange flourishes and where access to knowledge transcends boundaries of geography and language.

Source: WAM