Organised by Sharjah Book Authority in collaboration with the American Library Association
Sharjah:Bringing together themes that explore the intersection of reading with education, healthcare and artificial intelligence, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) will organise the 13th edition of the Sharjah International Library Conference (SILC) from November 7–9, 2026, as part of the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair. The conference, organised in collaboration with the American Library Association (ALA), will bring together experts and specialists from school, public and academic libraries around the world.
This year, SILC will foster meaningful professional dialogue on the evolving role of libraries in the lives of individuals and communities. Its programme will cover a broad spectrum of library models, including public, school and specialised libraries, while also exploring the latest trends in contemporary technologies and their role in building knowledge-based societies.
A broad vision for the role of libraries
His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of Sharjah Book Authority, said: “The 13th edition of the Sharjah International Library Conference marks another milestone in the evolution of a conference that has established itself as one of the world’s leading platforms for exchanging expertise and exploring the future of libraries. It is rooted in a vision that recognises libraries as essential to the development of individuals and societies and views them as knowledge institutions capable of adapting to educational, technological and societal change, while strengthening people’s engagement with knowledge throughout every stage of life.”
Al Ameri added: “The impact of libraries today is measured by their ability to empower users to think, make informed choices and engage meaningfully with sources of knowledge. They are knowledge institutions that play a pivotal role in empowering individuals, supporting innovation and building knowledge-based societies. This reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to establish books and knowledge as fundamental pillars of human development, as well as the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority, to further strengthen the conference’s position as a global platform for advancing the library sector, empowering its professionals and strengthening international cooperation to shape the future of libraries.”
A professional programme that meets librarians’ needs
Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at Sharjah Book Authority, said: “In developing the programme for this year’s edition, we were keen to reflect the most significant developments shaping the global library sector and address the trends and challenges that will shape the future of knowledge. The programme offers participants practical opportunities to enhance services, measure the impact of programmes and build more effective partnerships with educational and community institutions, strengthening libraries’ ability to respond to the ever-changing needs of their communities while adapting to emerging technologies and evolving professional practices.”
The conference forms part of Sharjah Book Authority’s efforts to reinforce the emirate’s position as a global centre for professional dialogue in the library and knowledge sectors, while further integrating the Sharjah International Book Fair with specialised conferences held alongside it. This provides professionals across the book industry with broader opportunities for learning, networking and building partnerships.
Registration is now open to libraries and educational institutions wishing to participate via the following link:https://sharjahilc.com/signup/librarian-step2?l=ar
