In celebration of the International Archives Day,
The National Library and Archives participates with a working paper in a symposium organized by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage
The National Library and Archives participated in a symposium organized by the Sharjah In-stitute for Heritage under the slogan of “The Future of Archiving and Documents Sustainabil-ity” with a working paper entitled “The Importance and Role of Documents and Archives at Documentation and Archiving Centers”. The NLA’s participation comes as part of its celebra-tion of the International Archives Day, which aims to preserve the human archival heritage, exchange experiences, research and ideas and organize archival organizations.
In her paper, Dr. Fatma Al Mazrouei, Head of Historical Archive Section at the NLA, fo-cused on the importance of preserving historical documents since they reflect the civilized image of the nation. The NLA makes considerable efforts in collecting archival materials from inside and outside the UAE.
The paper shed the light on the agreements and memoranda of understanding that linked the NLA with a large number of archival organizations and under which the NLA can exchange, restore and preserve documents in line with the best standards applicable in the field of ar-chives preservation. It is noted that the NLA continues its efforts to enhance cooperation with the international archiving organizations and major national libraries worldwide such as the British Archives, British Library, Portuguese Archive, French and Indian Archives, Dutch Archives, US Archives and other archives that have rich and diversified holdings.
She stressed that the NLA is interested in providing access to archival materials via its elec-tronic platforms such as AGDA that contains thousands of various original historical docu-ments like letters, manuscripts, reports, and others, which all are pertaining to the history of the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region.
The paper highlighted some of the NLA’s projects and initiatives, primarily the “Young His-torian” Award, which is sponsored by the NLA due to its importance in promoting historical research among the future generations.
In addition, it presented the NLA’s publications, most prominently the chronicles of sheikhs, which are a documentary series of the sheikhs’ visits, receptions and daily activities. These chronicles document the UAE’s history and development, which was achieved by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his fellow founding fathers, and which was promoted through the efforts of the wise leadership that followed in Sheikh Zayed’s footsteps in devel-oping the UAE so that it achieved a special status worldwide.
Al Mazrouei illustrated the NLA’s other periodicals and publications that provide researchers, academics and those who are interested in history with reliable information about the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region.

Photo:
Sharjah Institute for Heritage honouring Ms. Fatma Al Mazrouei for her participation.

In line with its pioneering long-term secure digital preservation project 
The National Library and Archives inspects Piql long term preservation methods, equipment, and techniques at the Arctic World Archive in Norway  

A delegation from the National Library and Archives visited the "Piql" HQ in Norway, where its members were briefed on documents long-term digital preservation projects, and modern technologies in this field.
The National Library and Archives took advantage of the visits to discuss future cooperation with Piql and Melara Middle East, mainly that the NLA becomes a regional center for "Piql and Melara " projects in preserving the memory of the nation. The delegation members were briefed on long-term archives’ preservation, processing, and work techniques.
This National Library and Archives’ initiative reflects the UAE's firm commitment to achieving sustainable development and the keen interest of the National Library and Archives to enhance, and develop its holdings, implement the UAE government strategy and preserve the region’s history and heritage.
 The National Library and Archives looks forward to successfully carrying out its role as a regional technical services center providing archives content digitization and long-term preservation services in the UAE, the Gulf and the Middle East. Thus, it aims to conclude an agreement with the two above mentioned companies for the provision of this project’s necessary technological devices, software, equipment, and training to display such modern and advanced global digital secure and Long-term preservation system at the Abu Dhabi hosted International Council on Archives (ICA) Congress from 9-13 October, 2023.
During a visit to Piql's headquarters in Drammen, Norway, the National Library and Archives delegation was briefed on details of Piql's data and image technologies, its films, filming duration, films processing, access, and storage conditions. 
The National Library and Archives delegation also visited the Arctic World Archive (AWA) which is an ultra-secure and long-term data preservation vault located in a former mine deep inside an arctic mountain on the isolated arctic Svalbard archipelago.
This National Library and Archives visit, carried out by a delegation of specialists and experts, comes as a second step following the launch of the pilot phase of the original data digital transformation and permanent or long term secure digital preservation project, (for periods exceeding two thousand years).
This project aims at achieving information digital transformation for a secure and long-term preservation for future generations through employing the latest data preservation information technology solutions, but with Emirati expertise at local, regional, and international levels.
 

The National Library and Archives celebrates International Archives Day and spreads awareness of the importance of digital records and data preservation sustainability.

It organized a lecture on enabling digital government along with two photo and technologies exhibitions. 

In celebration of international Archives Day, the National Library and Archives organized various events reflecting its strategic and national role in collecting the memory of the nation, to allow researchers access to it, and preserve it for future generations, stressing the importance of preserving the digital governments’ archives, when the world is witnessing accelerated digital transformation reflected through the digital government services,  tools and strategies.
The National Library and Archives organized, at its headquarters, a lecture entitled: "Enabling Digital Government", in which Mr. Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the Archives Department, reviewed the National Library and Archives establishment in 1968 upon directives from the Founder and Builder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the main stages it went through, he also tackled the National Library and Archives’ vision, mission, and values.  
The Director of the Archives Department encouraged the government entities’ participants to provide the National Library and Archives with innovative ideas that enhance the sustainability of its digital documents and data preservation methods, stressing the importance of institutions’ vital documents and their responsibility to preserve them.
He discussed the importance of the digital files preservation and sustainability methods, pointing out  that this is the National Library and Archives mission and objective, since it keenly seeks to achieve long-term preservation for over two thousand years. He also tackled the digital government strategy objectives and priorities, stressing the UAE prominent and leading status among world countries, and pointed out that the digital government works to enhance infrastructure and support digital transformation strategies in government entities.
The lecture further tackled the government bodies’ responsibilities and role in digital records and documents preservation, and discussed at length the National Library and Archives significant role in government agencies coordination, infrastructure, sustainability, training and consulting, policies regulations, procedures, and legislation, most important of which is the Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 and its bylaws or executive regulations, and the guidelines available on the  National Library and Archives’ website. He stressed the importance of joint-institutional efforts to realize and sustain records integrity, preservation, and accessibility.
The Archives Department Director concluded his lecture by shedding light on Abu Dhabi, and its hosting, from 9-13 October, the 19th edition of  the International Council on Archives Congress, under the slogan "Enriching Knowledge Societies", which topics discussed important current and future archival issues, on top of which come peace and tolerance, then emerging technologies - electronic records and solutions, sustainable knowledge and sustainable planet:  Archives, records, climate change, trust and evidence, access and memories.
The workshop included a speech delivered by Ms. Shaikha Al-Abdouli, Head of the Records Department at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, that tackled her distinguished experience in organizing and digitizing records and films.
On the sidelines of the International Archives Day celebration, the National Library and Archives organized, at its headquarters, a historical photo-exhibition featuring and documenting various aspects of the history of the UAE and its people in the 1960s, and before the establishment of the Union.
The National Library and Archives organized an exhibition of innovative methods and smart solutions at its headquarters which technically supported its tasks and goals achievement in terms of preserving and facilitating access to the memory of the nation.

In the presence of international delegations, the National Library and Archives, as representative of the UAE, demonstrated its pioneering and distinguished experience in addition to participating in the Kazakh Presidential Archives’ celebrations of inaugurating the Youth Summer School. 

The National Library and Archives participated in the celebrations organized by the Presidential Archives of Kazakhstan to celebrate the inauguration of the Summer School for the Kazakh Archives’ Youth in the city of Almaty.
On this occasion, His Excellency, Abdullah Majid Al Ali, director general of the National Library and Archives, presented a speech in which he highly estimated the distinguished and solid relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Kazakhstan. His Excellency referred to the continuous development of the relations between the two countries due to the support of the two wise leaderships in favor of the interest of the two friendly peoples. He highly valued the significant relations, which connects the National Library and Archives with the Kazakh Presidential Archives and the National Archives of Kazakhstan.

The NLA director general- in the presence of Alia Mustafaina -director general of the Presidential Archives in Kazakhstan and a number of Kazakh officials as well as a large number of delegations from countries participating in the ceremony in addition to members of the Kazakh Archives’ school and its administration-expressed his happiness to participate in this distinguished archival event that coincides with the world archives week celebrations, which reflect the interest of the entire world in archives due to their importance in enriching knowledge societies.

In his word, His Excellency demonstrated the experience of the United Arab Emirates in developing specialized postgraduate and professional studies in the field of document management and archival sciences, and the role of the National Library and Archives in training and qualifying archivists.
According to His Excellency, the aspirations of the Kazakh Archives’ Youth summer school are reminiscent of their NLA counterparts. The NLA gives priority to archival studies. Accordingly, the NLA in cooperation with Sorbonne University in Abu-Dhabi established BA and MA academic programs in document management and archival sciences in addition to a professional certificate program, which is a qualifying program for workers in the field of archives. The NLA also organizes workshops and training courses for archivists in the area of archival studies and presented by experts at its headquarters.

His Excellency invited international delegations to participate in the major archival event, the International Council of Archives Congress, which will be organized by the NLA in Abu Dhabi from 9-13 October-2023. The congress will include contemporary and future archival issues as well as innovative and sustainable themes, which will contribute to the development of archives globally.

His Excellency concluded his speech by congratulating the Kazakh Presidential Archives on the inauguration of the Summer School for the Kazakh Archives’ Youth wishing them the best of luck and hoping that the Kazakh Archives achieves its desired goals. His Excellency affirmed the readiness of NLA to support this pioneering and distinguished experience with expertise and advanced technical programs concerned with preserving the memory of the nation.

International delegations participated in the celebration of the inauguraion of the Kazakh Archives’ Youth summer school;most notably from: the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. It should be noted that the Kazakh Archives’ Youth summer school, organized by the Kazakh Presidential Archives in cooperation with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University since 2017, is a popular and important event for specialists in local and foreign archival institutions.

The mission of this school aims to improve the skills of young archivists in order to get acquainted with new technologies and modern methods of archival work, and develop international cooperation in the field of archives. More than 900 participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan, as well as employees of archival institutions in Kazakhstan and university students have benefited from this school.
 

The National Library and Archives Board of Directors held a meeting to discuss the latest developments on hosting the International Council on Archives Congress among other work-related issues.
Al Midfa said: The National Library and Archives enriches knowledge societies and enhances the UAE cultural status. 
The National Library and Archives’ Board of Directors discussed in its meeting chaired by His Excellency Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Midfa, work development as well as current and future National Library and Archives’ strategy topics, and major future events.
  The meeting tackled the preparations for the Abu Dhabi hosted International Council on Archives Congress from 9-13 October 2023, and major developments that would enhance this major archival event to add to its international dimensions among world Archives and  archival specialists.
During the meeting, the Board of Directors discussed the National Library and Archives new strategic plan’s developments, the proposed organizational structure, the NLA building, and the content building strategy that qualifies the National Library to be the UAE civilizational and cultural beacon.
The Board of Directors Chairman stressed the important role of the National Library and Archives in empowering and enriching knowledge societies in line with the wise leadership’s aspirations for the UAE future and its world leadership role on the centenary of the auspicious union’s establishment, stressing that the major local and international achievements accomplished at this stage enhance the UAE’s cultural status, and leadership among world countries. His Excellency also stressed that the National Library and Archives shall continue its national march towards ensuring the best realization of the projected achievements and projects in a record time in line with the UAE wise leadership’s vision.
His Excellency the Board of Directors Chairman praised the National Library and Archives’ achieved events and activities on the local, Arab and international levels, which earned its status as a cultural beacon and a scientific edifice that collects the memory of the nation through employing the latest technologies, to allow researchers, customers and users easy access to it, and preserve it for future generations.

Photo-caption: Al Midfa chairs the National Library and Archives Board of Directors meeting.
 

The National Library and Archives participates in a webinar on women, which discussed the lineage of women in a family tree, ways to access it, and their role in the social fabric
 
The National Library and Archives participated in a webinar on the lineage of women in the family and society, held by the FamilySearch organization that specializes in the Middle East and North Africa genealogy. The webinar was live streamed on the Facebook channel. The NLA received the invitation to participate in the webinar as it is interested in oral history and its role in genealogical study, family archives collection, and its keenness to highlight women’s role in development and in the structure and coherent fabric of society.
The three episodes of the webinar discussed the role of women in preserving family history and heritage, their significance in society, and their contribution to creating generations being an essential member in every family tree.
Ms. Maitha Salman Al Zaabi, Head of the Oral History Section of the National Library and Archives, participated in the webinar. She touched on ways and means of finding grandmothers’ data records, women’s contribution to bringing the family together and their role in preserving and sharing with their relatives the stories passed down from their ancestors. She also shed light on women's role in promoting family gatherings and reunions.
Seizing the opportunity, Ms. Al Zaabi briefed the participants in the webinar on the Congress of the International Council on Archives, the major archival event hosted by Abu Dhabi from October 9-13, 2023. The subthemes of the ICA Congress include Peace and Tolerance, which is in line with the orientations of the United Arab Emirates, which is an oasis and an ideal model for peace, tolerance and human coexistence. The subthemes will also be concerned with sustainability, artificial intelligence and other issues that have a great impact on archiving and documentation affairs.

The NLA Visited the Tunisian National Archives and Participated in a Specialized Symposium in Tunisia

The National Library and Archives participated in the intellectual symposium, held in Tunisia and organized by the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information, in cooperation with the Tunisian National Archives entitled, “The National Policy for Documents and Archives Management in Light of Digital Transformations”. The NLA delegation discussed with His Excellency Al-Hadi Jallab, Director General of the Tunisian National Archives means of cooperation in the field of documents and archives management. His Excellency appreciated the role of the National Library and Archives in preserving the history and heritage of the Emirates and the Arabian Gulf region.
The National Library and Archives enriched the symposium with a lecture presented by Dr. Hazaa Al-Naqbi, Head of the NLA’s Government Archives Section on the distinguished experience of the United Arab Emirates in managing documents and archives in government agencies. The lecturer referred to the role of the NLA in collecting, maintaining and archiving official documents according to scientific standards to preserve them for the coming generations and make them available for historical scientific research. Simultaneously, the National Library and Archives played an important role in disseminating cultural and societal awareness about the importance of historical documents of all kinds.
Moreover, the NLA provided areas of research for scholars wishing to benefit from the informational material it possesses, while making documented information available to UAE decision-makers. Likewise, the lecturer highlighted the methods advocated by the NLA’s plan to organize the country's archives, underlining the significance of establishing the Preservation and Restoration Centre. Equally, Dr. Hazaa illustrated that the Centre contains highly advanced technologies in the field of preserving historical documents and modern equipment, in addition to expertise and competencies capable of processing, restoring and protecting documents from damage.

Dr. Hazaa Al-Naqbi, and Dr. Saeed Al-Ghaithi, Head of the NLA’s Government Archives Development Unit, were keen to visit the headquarters of the Tunisian National Archives, inspect its Departments and sections, and get updates on its experience in preserving historical documents, which constitute a major component of strength for the state and society. They met with His Excellency Al-Hadi Jallab, and discussed with him ways of cooperation in the field of documents and archives management. His Excellency highly appreciated the NLA’s role in preserving the history and heritage of the Emirates and the Arabian Gulf region, and expressed his admiration for the distinguished experience of the National Library and Archives, as one of the most remarkable and prominent Arab experiences in the field of archiving and documenting. He appreciated the Emirati concern for preserving the memory of the nation because of its importance in foreseeing the future by exploring the past and its events.

The NLA delegation praised the role played by the Tunisian National Archives, and the richness of “The National Policy for Documents and Archives Management in Light of Digital Transformations” symposium, which touched on significant topics, most notably: Documents and archives as a component of governance and comprehensive development, the foundations of the national policy for managing documents and archives, and the legislative and regulatory foundations regarding digital transformations in addition to other papers that discussed  logistical and technical aspects and how to migrate from traditional systems to electronic ones. In the symposium, a number of researchers, academicians, senior experts and specialists in the field of archives from Tunisia and other Arab countries successfully participated in shedding light on these topics.

The National Library and Archives enriches its pages on the Google platform with its publications.
And stresses that the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive contributes to realizing sustainability.

The National Library and Archives stressed at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023 that the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive contributes to achieving sustainable knowledge of the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region, this comes within the framework of the National Library and Archives' keenness to sustain scientific research on the UAE history and heritage.

Ms. Fatima Sultan Al Mazrouei, Head of Historical Archives Section at the National Library and Archives, tackled the important role played by the National Library and Archives since its establishment in 1968, stressing that the Founder and Builder the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision upon issuing his directives for the establishment of the Documents and Research Bureau (currently the National Library and Archives), was to achieve sustainable knowledge. When the National Library and Archives launched the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive portal, with the objective of achieving sustainability, through preserving the original historical documents in its archives to allow researchers, academics and all interested parties in the UAE history and heritage access to them.

The Arabian Gulf Digital Archive is a main source of authentic documents on the Arabian Gulf, and may be accessed via the following link: https://www.agda.ae
The Arabian Gulf Digital Archive was created with the aim of displaying hundreds of thousands of original historic documents on the interesting history of the Arabian Gulf over a two centuries’ period, documenting historical events, Key figures biographies, notes, memoirs, manuscripts, photos, official correspondence, virtual exhibitions. AGDA constitutes a free digital resource including hundreds of thousands of historical and multimedia documents, photographs and photographs accessible to researchers, academics, specialists and the general public.

The National Library and Archives celebrated the 32nd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, through enriching its Google Arts and Culture platform pages with its various publications documenting the different aspects of the UAE history and heritage.
This step stems reflects the important content of these books issued by the National Library and Archives to document the UAE glorious history and ancient heritage, employing advanced modern technologies to provide the world an opportunity to explore the great UAE history, and link the past to the present.
The National Library and Archives allows its 2023 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair pavilion visitors easy access to these pages upon the QR code scanning.

The National Library and Archives launches its latest publication entitled "Coins Trade in the Arabian Gulf West Coast Emirates between 1929-1949" at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

The National Library and Archives launched its latest publication, namely, "Coins Trade in the Arabian Gulf West Coast Emirates between 1929-1949", at its participating pavilion in the 32nd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which is considered one of the most prominent literary and intellectual events.
The book was launched in the presence of His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, and author Dr. Khawla Al-Aleeli, Arabian Gulf modern and contemporary history Researcher. The book’s significance stems from the fact that it includes an important historical research in which the National Library and Archives has a keen interest, and shall be launched among the National Library and Archives new publications during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
This book includes important research that tackles an important phase of the economic history of the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing the importance of historical coins, documenting the UAE commercial activity development, and revealing historical details about their minting time and the secrets of their growing value.
The book also tackled the transformation of coins in the Arabian Gulf west coast emirates into an imported and exported commodity, and their import and export figures are documented in the annual trade reports.
The book is based on contemporary published and unpublished local and foreign documents and includes analysis of the factors that led to the coins being an imported and exported commercial commodity, as well as a goods and services valuation tool. The book explains various coins and currencies evaluation and trading or circulation methods. It also monitors the annual development of coins imports and re-exports, stating that trade’s generated revenues in the various emirates’ treasury, and tackled the factors that gradually led to this trade’s decline. This study constitutes an important topic regarding the Arabian Gulf region pre-oil economy.
The book documents an important historical economic aspect that complements and enriches the National Library and Archives publications, including books, periodicals, research and studies on the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region.

The National Library and Archives gives a lecture on sustainability in the Builder and Founder’s thought at Abu Dhabi Book Fair
The National Library and Archives gave a lecture entitled Sustainability in the Thought of the Founder and Builder, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It introduced the concept and history of sustainability, the goals of sustainable development that propelled the government’s work and vision. It also touched on the declaration of 2023 as the year of sustainability under the slogan Today for tomorrow, by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President. The main goals of the year of sustainability include shedding light on the UAE rich heritage in the field of sustainable practices from Zayed's legacy.
The lecture shed light on sustainable practices since the era of the founder and builder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It tackled the economic, cultural, social, and environmental aspects of sustainability. It indicated that Sheikh Zayed adopted this concept since he was the representative of the ruler in the city of Al Ain, and when he became ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 1966, then President of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.
In her lecture, Dr. Husniya Al Ali, Educational Programs Advisor at the National Library and Archives, focused on the fact that the establishment of the Union represents the sustainability of the homeland, which is the greatest form of sustainability. She added that Sheikh Zayed wanted it to be a sustainable national achievement, so he defined its goals, strategy, foreign policy frameworks, as well as the challenges it might face.
All the information she presented was supported by the late Sheikh Zayed’s quotes on sustainability.  She concluded with his saying: “...time changes, and so does the state as well as the surrounding circumstances, but men are the instrument of change, the change that we brought about by bringing everyone to faith in the Union and solidarity. We realized that the currents surrounding us necessitate this change, and that the union must emerge into a strong, modern state that stands in the face of changes in the region."
The cultural season of the National Library and Archives abounds with seminars and national lectures presented to beneficiaries at the NLA headquarters and cultural circles and events.  

Looking ahead at the smart libraries’ future, their spaces and their significance in the digital citizenship era
The National Library and Archives, in collaboration with TRENDS Research and Advisory, organized a seminar on smart libraries and digital citizenship

The National Library and Archives (NLA), in collaboration with TRENDS Research and Advisory, organized a seminar entitled "Smart Libraries and Digital Citizenship: Challenges of Foreseeing the Future of Smart Libraries" at the NLA booth at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023.
The interest in smart libraries arises from being the main gateway to knowledge and culture. Libraries have started to go hi-tech to stay relevant in the digital age and to cope with rapid technological transformations.
Smart libraries that nurture creativity and collaboration are an integral part of sustainable green cities which meet the increasingly relying on advanced technologies needs of people. With the emergence of the concept of digital citizenship, libraries have become a highly important upgrading means to a conscious and educated society.
Mr. Hamad Slayem Al-Hamiri, Director of Research and Knowledge Services Department was the first speaker in the seminar. He explored the future of smart libraries and stated that the United Arab Emirates, under the directives of its wise leadership, ranks the first in the Arab world and the eighth in the world in government smart services.
He shed light on the three most important reasons behind public libraries transformation into smart libraries, namely government trends, the digital transformation of the city, and the needs of beneficiaries. He gave a profile of a smart library in a smart building, with a smart librarian. Such library also employs smart technology, provides smart services, and is visited by smart people.
The Director of Research and Knowledge Services Department concluded by pointing to the future aspirations of the National Library of the United Arab Emirates. He underscored the importance of fully equipping and supplying its building with technical solutions, such as the integrated automated system, the knowledge exploration system, and an integrated information portal.
Other aspirations include the launch of the Emirates Digital Library, the Digital Repository Project, and the UAE Bibliographic Agency.
Then, Mr. Hamad Al-Kaabi, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ittihad newspaper, identified digital citizenship as a set of guidelines that nurture responsibility, awareness and wisdom when using technology. Afterwards, he pointed to smart libraries which, according to him, are a technological breakthrough promoting libraries to be more computer reliant. He indicated that this is a growing trend in the era of Artificial Intelligence with its various applications and added that such libraries meet users’ needs in the digital age. Using the model of Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Mr. Al-Kaabi provided accurate information about its form and content, which made it a remarkable contemporary library.
The editor-in-chief of Al-Ittihad newspaper talked about the launch of smart books globally in 2012, indicating that such books are now used worldwide serving knowledge and culture.
Finally, researcher and Professor Reem Al-Kindi, from TRENDS Research and Advisory spoke about smart libraries in the era of digital citizenship. She identified the conditions that led to the emergence of the digital citizenship concept in light of rapid technological developments. She noted that the digital age has a highly important impact on citizenship, as it pushes individuals closer to computers, the Internet, and smart devices.
She stressed the importance of digital literacy, digital decency, and digital legal responsibility, and then turned to the role of smart libraries in promoting digital citizenship.
After identifying smart libraries, she shed light on their components such as smart services, smart people, and smart governance which includes all compatible features. She emphasized the importance of the smart library building as well as the systems that make it among sustainable buildings, and the innovations that improve the quality of life.
She concluded by emphasizing the smart library role, which is to enhance the actual reality of virtual communities and contribute to creating a digital citizen who belongs more to his homeland.
It is noteworthy that Mohammed Khalfan Al-Sawafi, a writer and researcher, was the moderator of the seminar.

At its booth at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023, the National Library and Archives unveils its projects, publications and electronic services

The National Library and Archives (NLA) unveiled, at its booth at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2023, its services, publications, and its most prominent activities and events. It briefed visitors on the Congress of the International Council on Archives, its electronic services, and its most important and latest publications, which provide documented information to researchers and those interested in the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region.
The National Library and Archives invited researchers, interested parties and young people to register and participate in the ICA Congress, the major archival event hosted by Abu Dhabi under the slogan "Enriching Knowledge Societies" from 9-13 October,2023. It pointed to its most prominent and important subthemes, primarily Peace and Tolerance. The second subtheme is Emerging Technologies: Electronic Records and Electronic Solutions. The third subtheme is Sustainable Knowledge, Sustainable Planet: Archives, Records and Climate Change. The fourth subtheme is Trust and Evidence, which are among the NLA’s priorities, while the fifth is Access and Memory, which emphasizes that archive is a right rather than a privilege.
At its booth, the National Library and Archives shed light on the most important electronic services it provides, such as requesting archival materials, national educational packages, diagnosing the status of government archives and the NLA’s publications. They also include requesting destruction of documents of government agencies’ archives, providing technical advice and scientific guidance in oral history and genealogy, organizing exhibitions of historical documents and photos, and publishing books, research and working papers concerned with history and heritage.
The National Library and Archives’ booth dedicated a special corner to sustainability, highlighting the interest of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the wise leadership that followed in his footsteps in protecting the environment and its resources. It also highlighted the UAE's interest in the agricultural and environmental renaissance and its aspirations to expand the area of vegetation cover since its establishment.
In addition to the historical photographs displayed in the NLA’s booth, which belong to its photo archive, the recent publications confirm the NLA’s interest in preserving and documenting the memory of the nation. The publications which attract those interested in the history and heritage of the UAE, include Zayed from Challenges to Union, Zayed and Heritage, Qasr Al Hosn, Thus Spoke Fatima bint Mubarak, Their memory, Our History, Um Kulthum in Abu Dhabi, Forts and castles in the United Arab Emirates, Memories of the Emirates, and several volumes of the Chronicles of the Sheikhs.