During participation at the Special Libraries Association (SLA) 20th annual conference this week, experts from Qatar National Library (QNL) highlighted work currently underway to improve access to historical items following its unique collaboration with The British Library.
Librarians, researchers and educators from around the world, who work in the fields of knowledge acquisition, organisation and dissemination, are participating in the three day conference in Doha, sharing and exchanging ideas about the overall theme of ‘Enhancing in Digital Knowledge Society’s Information Needs’.
A senior delegation from QNL have also attended the event to reveal the ground-breaking work being carried out by the library to widen access to archive material and promote greater understanding of Arab and Islamic cultural heritage and history of the Gulf region.
The partnership between QNL and The British Library involves digitising over 500,000 pages of archival items from the India Office Records, covering almost 200 years between 1763 – 1951. The project will also see 500 maps, charts and plans of the Gulf, in addition to 300 sound recordings highlighting the evolution of traditional Arab music made available in electronic form.
QNL’s Project Director Dr Claudia Lux said: “QNL is proud to be partnering with The British Library, and the benefits of this collaboration are immeasurable. Historical items that were once only available to a limited number of people will be shared amongst nations and across continents.”
She further added: “Spreading knowledge is a key part of the library’s mission, the goal of Qatar Foundation and the vision of the country, as Qatar journeys to become a knowledge-based economy. QNL’s exceptional resources will promote greater understanding of Arab and Islamic cultural heritage and history of the Gulf region, and will be free for all students, the public and researchers all over the world.”
The SLA conference coincides with QNL unveiling its innovative brand identity, which is inspired by the iconic architectural design of its new home, currently under construction in Education City.
QNL’s dynamic, modernistic new logo is emblematic of the Library’s state-of-the-art facilities and use of the latest technology to bridge the nation’s past and future through knowledge sharing.
QNL was announced in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development. Under the guidance of Qatar Foundation, the library provides free access for students, educators, researchers, and the wider community in Qatar. Whilst the building is under construction, its many resources are already available online to the public, ranging from popular, newly published material to historic and rare documents.
In addition to book discussion events and training sessions, QNL is currently offering free online access to a vast collection of online resources including the latest bestsellers, classical works, concerts, top academic journals and documentaries. QNL’s registered members can access a complete list of online resources by visiting http://www.qnl.qa/find-answers/online-resources. Anyone who lives in Qatar and has a valid Qatari ID/Residence Permit is eligible for free library registration. To register, please visit https://library.qnl.qa/selfreg.
Librarians, researchers and educators from around the world, who work in the fields of knowledge acquisition, organisation and dissemination, are participating in the three day conference in Doha, sharing and exchanging ideas about the overall theme of ‘Enhancing in Digital Knowledge Society’s Information Needs’.
A senior delegation from QNL have also attended the event to reveal the ground-breaking work being carried out by the library to widen access to archive material and promote greater understanding of Arab and Islamic cultural heritage and history of the Gulf region.
The partnership between QNL and The British Library involves digitising over 500,000 pages of archival items from the India Office Records, covering almost 200 years between 1763 – 1951. The project will also see 500 maps, charts and plans of the Gulf, in addition to 300 sound recordings highlighting the evolution of traditional Arab music made available in electronic form.
QNL’s Project Director Dr Claudia Lux said: “QNL is proud to be partnering with The British Library, and the benefits of this collaboration are immeasurable. Historical items that were once only available to a limited number of people will be shared amongst nations and across continents.”
She further added: “Spreading knowledge is a key part of the library’s mission, the goal of Qatar Foundation and the vision of the country, as Qatar journeys to become a knowledge-based economy. QNL’s exceptional resources will promote greater understanding of Arab and Islamic cultural heritage and history of the Gulf region, and will be free for all students, the public and researchers all over the world.”
The SLA conference coincides with QNL unveiling its innovative brand identity, which is inspired by the iconic architectural design of its new home, currently under construction in Education City.
QNL’s dynamic, modernistic new logo is emblematic of the Library’s state-of-the-art facilities and use of the latest technology to bridge the nation’s past and future through knowledge sharing.
QNL was announced in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development. Under the guidance of Qatar Foundation, the library provides free access for students, educators, researchers, and the wider community in Qatar. Whilst the building is under construction, its many resources are already available online to the public, ranging from popular, newly published material to historic and rare documents.
In addition to book discussion events and training sessions, QNL is currently offering free online access to a vast collection of online resources including the latest bestsellers, classical works, concerts, top academic journals and documentaries. QNL’s registered members can access a complete list of online resources by visiting http://www.qnl.qa/find-answers/online-resources. Anyone who lives in Qatar and has a valid Qatari ID/Residence Permit is eligible for free library registration. To register, please visit https://library.qnl.qa/selfreg.
