Sharjah announces new network of libraries in partnership with HoW
The House of Wisdom (HoW) has launched a new initiative called the “House of Wisdom Network” to expand access to books and promote lifelong learning in the Sharjah community. This smart platform enables readers to borrow and return books at various Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) destinations that are part of the HoW Network, increasing the visibility of specialised libraries and promoting seamless access to resources for the community.
The goal of the initiative is to provide easy access to educational resources and promote lifelong learning for the Sharjah community. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Shurooq CEO, launched the pilot phase at the Maraya Art Centre, where art lovers could access specialised books and resources. All books have been catalogued, re-shelved, and new books procured from the Sharjah International Book Fair.
According to Al Qaseer, the House of Wisdom Network initiative represents a significant step towards supporting the cultural sector in Sharjah, and it bolsters the emirate’s status as a leading force in the creative industries. By investing in modern technologies that employ smart platforms across all branches of the network, it ensures access to available resources and promises a rich and fulfilling experience for the public.
The House of Wisdom Network initiative is part of Sharjah’s ambitious vision and commitment to providing the public with diverse resources and tools to broaden their knowledge, supporting the emirate’s efforts to provide a platform for continuous learning, creativity, and innovation. The initiative consolidates Sharjah’s position as a premier destination for cultural development.
The HoW plans to expand the libraries network to other Shurooq destinations in Sharjah, such as Mleiha Archaeological Centre, Chedi Al Bait, and Kalba’s Kingfisher Retreat. The initiative will enable visitors of these destinations to explore the heritage and history of Sharjah and discover a selection of titles on various specialised topics.
The HoW’s Libraries Network is a revolutionary project that aims to provide easy access to educational resources and promote lifelong learning for the Sharjah community. The initiative represents a significant step forward in promoting cultural institutions’ cooperation and library management standards, setting a new benchmark for digital transformation in the library sector.
Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of HoW, believes that the initiative builds on the original House of Wisdom in Baghdad, which became a beacon for knowledge exchange and an incubator for science that influenced the Islamic world. Therefore, the diverse libraries that this initiative will provide will enable the public to easily access titles and knowledge sources they seek from various locations. It is expected that the initiative will encourage broadening knowledge and reading in various fields of expertise and in different languages.
The House of Wisdom Network initiative is a ground-breaking project that promotes access to educational resources and lifelong learning for the Sharjah community. It represents a significant step towards promoting cultural institutions’ cooperation and library management standards, and it sets a new benchmark for digital transformation in the library sector. The initiative is expected to bolster Sharjah’s status as a leading force in the creative industries and a premier destination for cultural development.
