Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Library (QNL) recently hosted students from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman for a comprehensive five-day training programme titled ‘Emerging Librarians.’

QNL offers the programme as part of its continuous initiatives aimed at empowering information specialists across the region. This effort has intensified since last year when QNL was designated as the inaugural MENA Regional Office for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), marking a historic first for the region.

The training programme featured introductory sessions to familiarise students with the Library’s various departments, including a tour of the Heritage Library, Digitization Center, Children’s Library, and the Preservation and Conservation Center where students were briefed on the conservation techniques and processes used to preserve heritage items and the Library’s role since 2015 as IFLA’s Regional Preservation and Conservation Center.

Eiman Saleh Alshamari, Head of Young Adults’ Library, and the Manager of the IFLA Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “The training reflects the Library’s firm commitment to equip the next generation of librarians and information specialists in Qatar and the region with the necessary knowledge and skills to embark on their librarianship careers. As IFLA’s regional office we are actively contributing to wider efforts to preserve and disseminate the region’s cultural heritage for generations to come.”

Additionally, the program included field visits to cultural monuments and institutions across Qatar, such as the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar University, and the Doha Institute Library. Students also toured the Amiri Diwan-affiliated National Archives of Qatar in Msheireb, an institution dedicated to the collection and preservation of documents and archives related to Qatar.

Professor Khaleesa Al-Barashdi, Training Supervisor at the Department of Information Studies in the College of Arts and Social Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, expressed her appreciation for Qatar National Library’s efforts and the wide-ranging expertise of its team.

She said: “We were privileged to engage in this unique training initiative, held in collaboration with the IFLA Regional Office at QNL. The training programme was notably effective, blending theoretical instruction with practical application, supplemented by field visits that significantly enhanced students’ learning. These components not only enriched their knowledge, but also provided them with hands-on experience at one of the most advanced libraries in the region.”

Impressed by the well-designed programme, the students highlighted the enriching and educational nature of the training delivered by experts who made complex information accessible and engaging.

Omniyat Ahmed Alkhusaibi said: “As aspiring library science specialists, the training’s timing was perfect as we’re approaching a critical phase of our graduation. I look forward to future opportunities, particularly in the preservation and conservation areas, aligning closely with my specialization in archiving.”

Underscoring the importance of the Library’s various programmes Gaith Zahir Said Alharthi said: “The most significant programme I observed during this training was ‘Qatar Reads’. I hope to see this initiative replicated in Oman under the name ‘Oman Reads’, which would be tremendously impactful.”

Emad Nasser Alshukili on the other hand praised the unique experience that provided insights into innovative technologies. “I was impressed by the self-return book system, and the seamless experience it provides for members,” he said, “which I hope will be implemented in the National Library of Oman, currently being constructed.”

The last day of the training programme featured a meeting with the Library’s User Services Team and concluded with a ceremony where students received certificates of appreciation from QNL as the IFLA MENA regional office.