UAE University project honoured as Sharjah Prize forum spotlights Library 4.0 leadership
The 26th Sharjah Prize for Library Literature recognised research and practice advancing library services, with UAE University’s Al Ain medical library winning Best Project and Practice.
Forum emphasises smart leadership as AI and digital platforms reshape libraries
Sharjah Public Libraries opened the fifth Sharjah Prize for Library Literature Forum with the announcement of the 26th Sharjah Prize winners, setting a two-day programme devoted to “Smart Leadership in Libraries in the fourth age of libraries.” The event, held at the Sharjah Book Authority headquarters, drew library directors, academics and sector specialists.
Organisers and speakers framed the debate around how artificial intelligence, data and digital platforms are transforming the library sector and how leaders can steer that change. Eman Bushlaibi, Director of Sharjah Public Libraries, said libraries have an opportunity to shape how technologies serve people and knowledge, underlining the importance of research and professional practice to guide development in a human-centred way.
At the opening, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of Sharjah Book Authority, presented awards across research, projects and institutional practice categories. The Research Category first prize went to Dr. Amani AbdelGhany ElSabbagh for “The Role of an AI-Based Integrated Framework in Personalising the Experience of People of Determination: The Baseera Model for the Smart Academic Library.”
Second place was awarded to Abdelhafid Mubarak Barir for “An Intelligent Library Assistant to Develop Search and Discovery Services in Sharjah Public Libraries Catalogues: A Telegram-Based Applied Model Using Generative AI.” Third place was shared by Dr. Wesam Yousef Musleh and Dr. Mahmoud Mohamed Abdelsamad for “Towards Establishing User Experience Departments in Public Libraries in the UAE: A Proposed AI-Supported Organisational and Operational Framework.”
The National Archives and Library received the prize for Best Arab Library or Information Institution. The Best Project and Practice in the Field was awarded to “Applying LibKey Smart Tools at the UAE University Medical Library: A Strategic Model for Improving Access to Information Resources and Using Article Intelligence” — a project based at UAE University in Al Ain.
The forum sessions explored the gap between strategy and delivery. Khalid Al Yafei, Director of Operations Affairs at Qatar National Library, described his institution’s approach to long-term planning, emphasising timelines, budgets and clear performance indicators. Waleed Al Badi, Director of the Oman Council Library and Vice-Chair of the IFLA Middle East and North Africa Regional Division Committee, stressed that while delivery channels evolve, public access to content remains a constant objective.
Alya Alyassi, Strategic Communication Adviser, highlighted strategic communication’s role in policy and public engagement, noting challenges such as misinformation and deepfakes and the need for staff training in emerging technologies. The forum’s second day was scheduled to examine community partnerships and institutional readiness, with presentations by the winners for Best Arab Library and Best Project and Practice.
Source: WAM