Al Maktoum Medical Library Holds Inaugural Library Conference to Empower, Inform and Connect Librarians
MBRU’s Al Maktoum Medical Library held an inaugural Library conference from the 27th-28th November 2019. The library conference theme was “Empower, Inform and Connect”. This year the goal of the conference was to promote how libraries can translate ideas into innovative services. Delegates from over 30 universities participated in the conference. The conference that provided a platform for librarians to connect, explore and discuss their ideas for change.
Dr. Amer Sharif, Vice Chancellor, MBRU inaugurated the conference, Professor Mutairu Ezimokhai, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor Office delivered the welcome remarks to all the conference participants.
This year’s keynote speaker was Ms. Isobel Abulhoul OBE, CEO and Trustee of Emirates Literature Foundation, she presented on the topic “Libraries as Promoters of Change”.
The attendees were invited for the poster exhibition where library professionals presented their posters on a number of topics in library research, projects and community engagement events. Seven speakers presented on different topics that included 3 library research papers which will be published in international library journal. One of the highlights of the conference was a presentation by Ms. Anan Mahmoud 4th year medicine student at MBRU. She presented her experience as a library user.
Moreover, there was a half a day pre-conference workshop that discussed current trends and best practices in collection development and information literacy. Collection development session was facilitated by Thomas Hodge and John Liebhardt from the American University of Sharjah and Information Literacy Session was facilitated by Kristine Stewart from Zayed University.
The conference was held in partnership with BMJ, Knowledge E and Karger publications. The conference provided a platform for regional librarians to share and gain knowledge in the latest trends in libraries and how to promote new trends and innovative services to its users.